"I think if one was to attempt it, it would be i..."

I think if one was to attempt it, it would be important to get the messaging right. If you just did it without saying anything, my guess is that it would have little effect. But making it widely know that you are doing this and saying something along the lines of "show your pride in and support for the organization by donating early," while also explaining the reasoning and the problem, I think should work better.