The Importance of Year-End Giving

What is Year-End Giving?

The holiday season—beginning with Thanksgiving—is when many people naturally embrace the spirit of generosity. It’s often called “the season of giving,” or, as many not-for-profits refer to it, “year-end giving.”

During this time, as people shop for loved ones and exchange gifts, they’re also inspired to give back to organizations that make a meaningful difference. That’s why the holidays are the perfect moment to support the mission-driven work happening in our communities.

The Power of Year-End Giving

Every year, the holiday season reminds us what matters most: connection, compassion, and the small acts of generosity that bring comfort to others. It’s also a time when not-for-profits rely heavily on community support. Recent data confirms the critical importance of this season: approximately 31% of donations occur in December, with 12% of all giving concentrated in the final three days of the year—December 29, 30, and 31.¹

These gifts don’t just close budget gaps—they create moments of comfort, dignity, and relief for families at a time when they need it most. In 2024, December 31 alone accounted for 5% of annual revenue, and giving on that day increased 11% compared to the previous year.²

How MJHS Uses Its Year-End Gifts

For MJHS, philanthropy is woven into our history. For more than a century, donors have stepped forward so that no patient or family ever feels alone in their most vulnerable moments.

Your generosity makes it possible for us to provide care that goes beyond what insurance typically covers—care that eases fear, brings comfort, and honors each family’s story. Year-end gifts help sustain:

  • Specialized care for pediatric patients and the families supporting them through unimaginable loss.
  • Art and Music Therapy, offering calm, expression, and comfort when words fall short.
  • Dementia Care, designed to spark connection, promote safety, and bring moments of joy to those living with memory challenges.
  • Pastoral and spiritual support, meeting families where they are—emotionally, culturally, and spiritually.
  • Extended bereavement counseling, providing support that continues long after insurance coverage ends.
  • Culturally connected care for Holocaust survivors and diverse communities, ensuring every patient receives care that honors their unique experiences and traditions.

When you support MJHS, you’re not just donating.

You’re giving comfort to a caregiver who hasn’t slept.
You’re giving a moment of peace to a child at the end of life.
You’re helping a family feel less alone.

Your generosity says: Caring is what we do for one another.

Why Year-End Giving Matters Now More Than Ever

While total charitable giving increased 1.9% in 2023 to reach $557.16 billion nationwide, the number of individual donors has declined—particularly among donors giving $500 or less.³ These smaller donors represent the foundation of not-for-profit support, making every year-end gift increasingly vital.
Healthcare organizations like MJHS face unique challenges: donor retention rates in the health care sector average just 25% for first-time donors, rising to 66% for multi-year online donors.⁴ Your continued support makes an extraordinary difference in our ability to plan for and provide uninterrupted care.

The Urgency of December Giving

The statistics reveal a powerful truth: December 31 is not just another day—it’s the single most important day for fundraising. With one in twenty annual donations coming in on this day alone, every hour matters. In recent years, giving on December 31 has shown strong concentration between 12 PM and 7 PM, with many donors making last-minute decisions to support causes that matter to them.²

This isn’t about pressure—it’s about opportunity. It’s your chance to close the year knowing you’ve made a tangible difference in your community.

Making Your Impact

Year-end giving is not just about closing the year. It’s about opening the door to more care, more comfort, and more dignity for the people MJHS serves—every single day.
As you think about the impact you want to make this season, we hope you’ll consider a year-end gift to MJHS. Together, we can ensure that families in our community receive the compassionate care they deserve—the kind of care that insurance alone cannot provide.

MJHS does not provide tax advice—please consult your tax professional.

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