4 ways advancement leaders can make the most of the summer

Earlier this week, I finally sat down to clean out my inbox and organize the mess on my desktop. It was one of those tasks I kept putting off. But with a cup of coffee on a quiet Friday morning, I got through it. And afterward, I felt more clear-headed—like I had just cleaned my whole house. I finally had a little more mental space to think about what’s next.

That’s one of the things I love most about summer. For a few months, the rhythm shifts. We’re still busy with planning, campaign execution, and donor calls, but there’s usually a bit more breathing room on the calendar. If you’re intentional with that space, you can use it to help yourself and your team feel more focused, refreshed, and ready for the year ahead. And as we’ve seen in EAB’s 2025 Advancement Leaders Playbook, a lot of teams are thinking about the same things right now—how to support staff, where to focus limited time, and how to build new skills. Here are a few ways you can make the most of the summer months.

1. Celebrate your team’s wins and reflect on what you’ve learned

In between your summer engagement strategies and jumping into fall planning, create space to recognize the hard work your team put in this year. Make sure they feel appreciated and valued. Then, set aside time to reflect together. Talk about what worked, what didn’t, and where there’s room to improve. This will look different for every team. It could be a retreat, a focused team meeting, or a series of one-on-one conversations. The format can vary, but the goal is the same: be intentional about celebrating progress and learning from the past. You should leave with a few clear takeaways and ideas you can use to make the year ahead even better.

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2. Give yourself (and your team) permission to rest and reset

I know it feels like there’s always the next thing to worry about. But summer is one of the only times the pace of our work lets up, even just a little. Take advantage of it. Step away when you can—block off a quiet morning, take more mid-day walks, clear the clutter from your desk, or clean out your inbox. The more you make time to rest and reset, the more your team will feel like they can do the same. People return sharper when they’ve had a chance to relax. If you want your team to arrive focused and ready in the fall, begin by giving them space to recharge now. Most importantly, don’t forget to bring a little lightness to your days. Whether it’s hosting a sundae party or taking team selfies just for fun, small moments of joy go a long way in helping everyone return refreshed and ready for the year ahead.

3. Revisit your FY26 strategic plan and find what excites you

Your plans for the year ahead were likely set months ago. But I always encourage teams to take time in the summer to revisit those plans with fresh eyes and ask: what still feels exciting? What do you want to lean into? Have this same conversation with your team. Talk about what they’re most interested in tackling and where they see room to try something new.

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4. Invest in your team’s growth and development

Summer is a great time to check in with your team about how they’re feeling in their roles. Ask where they’d like more support or what skills they want to build this year. Then help carve out time for them to actually do it. That could mean signing up for a new certification, working on a stretch project, or setting aside an hour each week to try something new.

Get support where it counts

Advancement teams are balancing shrinking budgets, rising goals, and limited capacity. EAB’s Advancement Marketing Services is here to help you run smarter campaigns, connect with the right donors, and give your team more time to focus on what matters most. Reach out at [email protected] to learn more.

No matter what your summer looks like, I hope you’re able to find some time to slow down and reset. Even small things can make a difference. And if you haven’t yet, take a page out of my book and finally clear out that inbox or clean off your desktop. You might be surprised by how good it feels.