Exactly one month from today – December 2nd – is #GivingTuesday. #GivingTuesday started in 2012 when a group of visionary nonprofit leaders at the 92Y and the UN Foundation had an idea: to take back the giving season after the shopping binge of Black Friday and Cyber Monday. From a couple hundred nonprofits in 2012, #GivingTuesday has grown into an international day of giving. And it has been a boon to nonprofits that know what to do with the opportunity. Now is the time to learn how you can be making the most of #GivingTuesday.
You, and your nonprofit, have the ideal opening to remind donors that the season of giving should be more than flat screen TVs and UGG boots.
Here are 3 ways you can take advantage of the day:
- Send out emails. Send one on Black Friday with a follow up on #GivingTuesday reminding everyone how their generosity can help you achieve X, Y & Z.
- Have a phoneathon. A Tuesday night in December is a great night to call previous donors and ask them to consider another gift to your organization. Board members may be more willing to help since it is, in theory, the day to ask. And, if donors don’t want to give over the phone you still have plenty of time to follow up with a letter, an email to ensure an end-of-year gift.
- Social media blast. Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest – pick your favorite(s) and start sharing reasons why your organization should be on the top of the donor’s list for Giving Tuesday. You will be competing with a lot of other nonprofits on the same platforms using #GivingTuesday so be sure to give clear, concise reasons why they should support your organization.
The reasons to give to your nonprofit must still be compelling. If not, someone else will be profiting from your reminders that this is the season to give.