The numbers are now familiar to most fundraisers:

Over 30% of all charitable giving is done in December. The last three days of the year account for 12% of the year's online giving.

But I have some wonderfully generous friends who make most of their annual charitable gifts on New Year's Day. Got me thinking about why this makes so much sense.

January 1 is absolutely the best day to give.

ONE: No matter how the coming year unfolds, they are starting out with a (very) good deed. Giving back. Helping others. Repairing the world. Not a bad way to ensure a worthy 365 days no matter what happens the remaining 364.

TWO: Their charitable dollars have a greater impact. First, charities have budgets to balance and payrolls to meet, and they cannot wait until December to keep the lights on, pay their staff, save lives. Also, when donors give first thing in January -- guess what? Fewer solicitations during the year. Twenty-four hours into the New Year and they're already on the year's new donor honor roll. Fewer of their dollars are spent to solicit them back!

Mission. Not mail.

THREE: Study after study shows that people intend to give more than they actually end up giving. Distracted. Hard to give. Uncertain whether they have already given. Do it now!

"How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world." Anne Frank

I used to think that the "Two P's" of altruism were "Philanthropy" and "Procrastination."

I'm advocating for "Philanthropy" and "Promptness" in 2020.

I encourage you to start a new New Year's Day tradition this January 1st. For you and your family. And I encourage you to share this reflection with your fellow donors. And fundraisers.

A Happy Eleemosynary New Year!