Strategic Tips To Help You Prepare for Giving Tuesday

Giving Tuesday has the ability to benefit any organization or community across the globe. But for that to happen, you need a Giving Tuesday strategy. Julia Campbell, Founder of JC Social Marketing, was quoted in an article from Double the Donation as saying, “Plan for [Giving Tuesday] as you would a big in-person fundraising event, with tasks, deadlines and responsibilities…get a group involved and form a Giving Tuesday committee!”

With a day as important as Giving Tuesday for nonprofits, you strategy is everything. As you develop your plan, here are 5 things you shouldn’t miss.

1. Start Communicating Early

Social media is a quick and easy way to engage your supporters. Sharing updates, success stories, and appreciation leading up to Giving Tuesday is key.

As the big day approaches, encourage all your supporters – volunteers, board members, staff, family, and friends – to spread the word about your Giving Tuesday campaign on social media.

2. Take Advantage Of Matching Gifts And Corporate Sponsorships

Matching gifts are often forgotten about. Make a plan to ensure all matching gifts from companies are collected. Additionally, invite your corporate sponsors and partnerships to match all donations (or up to a certain amount) made on Giving Tuesday. Reach out to new businesses and asking them to match employee gifts.

3. Show Your Gratitude

What are you doing on the big day to thank your supporters? Have an outreach plan in place for thanking all supporters, big and small.

4. Get Creative

The purpose of Giving Tuesday is to celebrate generosity. Think of non-monetary ways supporters can donate their time, talent, or resources. A great example is one of Hands on Nashville’s past Giving Tuesday campaigns. Instead of focusing on monetary donations, they held a city-wide bike drive that collected over 115 bikes. They repaired the bikes and gave them to kids in the community as part of their RECYCLE program.

5. Cultivate Your Donors

Giving Tuesday is more than just one day. It’s part of a bigger picture of building relationships. Sarah Ford, Associate Marketing Manager for America’s Charities says: “Giving Tuesday…is by no means a one-day event. It is a movement to encourage giving and celebrate philanthropy.” What are you going to do after the date to cultivate the attitudes and actions of your supporters?

Giving Tuesday is a fantastic way for you to take advantage of a national movement to build regional awareness. Remember, these opportunities may not always drive the most revenue, but the non-financial engagement and outreach holds significant value for future engagement. Make sure you include clear calls to action for collecting names and e-mails that you can engage for future events and fundraisers.

Giving Tuesday Resources

Check out our 2020 Giving Tuesday Resources for the most up-to-day strategies for Giving Tuesday.

2020 Giving Tuesday Resources for Nonprofits