St. Louis Community Foundation’s Guide to GivingTuesday

 

Get ready! GivingTuesday is November 28, 2023. The online event will kick off at Midnight EST and end at Midnight PST, creating a 27-hour day of giving. In this blog post, we will share some tips and tricks, ways to promote, and answer some frequently asked questions. In addition, we will share some ideas from LaunchCode, a tech nonprofit in St. Louis that has successfully leveraged GivingTuesday.

Tips and Tricks for GivingTuesday

  • Use the Right Words for your Audience
    • When a donor gives to your nonprofit, you want them to know they are making a difference. Consider words such as “investment” “support” and “invaluable” to make people feel good about giving.
  • Make it Competitive
    • Donors love a good competition. Make it competitive by doing a giveaway or giving away a prize for every 50th donation received. This will make donors feel like they have achieved something even more special!
    • This can also be an excellent way to promote your nonprofit. Giving away cups, t-shirts, or hats with your logo is a great way to reward donors and spread awareness!
  • Add Urgency
    • Be sure to stress to your donors that GivingTuesday is just 27 hours. This can help encourage donations – no one wants to feel like they’ve missed out.
  • Describe Donation Impact
    • People are more likely to donate if they know what sort of impact their donation will make. Saying something descriptive such as “For every $10 donated, a backpack will be given to a child in need” will motivate donors.
  • Determine Who Your Audience Is (Recommended by LaunchCode)
    • To whom would you like to send this message? Businesses? Your Board? Donors individually?
    • LaunchCode recommends that you can start working on the language and messaging you want to use once you’ve identified who your target audience is. While individual contributors may be more motivated by the opportunity to assist others in transforming their lives, corporate donors may be more interested in your impact on the local economy.

Ways to Promote GivingTuesday Campaign

  • Email
    • Sending out an email in the days or weeks before GivingTuesday is a great way to inform your donors. Be sure to have a catchy subject line so they are more likely to see the email.
  • Social Media
    • Build hype on social media! Promote before the event goes live and give updates on your progress throughout the day. It’s a great way to keep your donors involved.
  • Traditional Collateral
    • While this is an online-only event, not everyone will see it on social media and websites. Be sure to go the extra mile with print. Send out a postcard or personalized letter to solicit donations.
  • Get Your Whole Team Involved
    • Have staff, board members, and volunteers promote GivingTuesday! This is a great way to spread the word and to let everyone know how committed your community is!
  • Send A Thank You
    • LaunchCode says: Remember to express thanks to everyone who helped make this event possible. Thank everyone who donated by sending a note or sharing a message on social media expressing gratitude to everybody who took part and stating the total amount raised, along with a link to make additional donations for those who did not participate. Make sure to thank those who donated and encourage those who did not contribute to give now by sending a follow-up email to your contacts. This is a great way to express gratitude and plant the seed for next year!

FAQ’s

  • Does my nonprofit have to register for GivingTuesday?
    • Registration is not required. Simply join the momentum of GivingTuesday and direct your supporters to wherever you are accepting donations.
  • Is there a specific donation platform that my nonprofit must use to participate in GivingTuesday?
    • Anything your nonprofit regularly does to collect donations, engage in the community, and mobilize is an excellent fit for GivingTuesday.
  • What is the best way to prepare for GivingTuesday?
    • LaunchCode advises that you start your GivingTuesday goals and develop a plan to reach these goals. Goals can vary based on each nonprofit and what they hope to accomplish. Some goals to consider when starting to plan include:
      • Financial Goal: How much money do you want to raise?
      • Donor Goal: How many unique donors do you hope to have?
      • Messaging Goal: What message do you hope to convey to your audience?

We hope this guide was helpful to you and your organization. Thank you to our partners at MightyCause and Kathy McCadden at LaunchCode for providing GivingTuesday recommendations! If your nonprofit is participating – good luck!

 

 

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