#GivingTuesday will be here before we know it. Held annually on the Tuesday following Thanksgiving, this online, decentralized crowd-fundraising event is a global initiative that kicks off the year-end giving season.
This year, #GivingTuesday will take place on Tuesday, November 29. Nonprofits who wish to hold #GivingTuesday fundraising events can do so on their existing fundraising platforms. The power of this event is that all the decisions lie with YOU – customize your campaign to best suit your organization’s current needs and your donor audience. Even though the original driving force of #GivingTuesday is social media and online fundraising, you can also use online promotion to supplement a primarily offline campaign, or vice versa.
But where should you start? Luckily, there are many resources on the web. You can find nationwide examples of nonprofits who have held #GivingTuesday campaigns with a simple Google search. Try searching for news coverage of successful campaigns or case studies for quick ideas like this example or this one.
One of the best and primary hubs for information is the #GivingTuesday website. There, you will find nonprofit toolkits, resources, ideas for individuals to take part (perfect to pass along to your most engaged supporters) and even home page messaging that can form the perfect start to language for your campaign. Sign up on the home page for regular email updates as the event nears.
Additionally, one of the global partners that promotes #GivingTuesday to the general public – getting coverage in national media, tracking day-of fundraising trends, etc. – is Blackbaud, a South Carolina neighbor. Their #GivingTuesday landing page contains links to external resources, but most importantly, it gives you access to a free webinar series that will help prepare you for the event. Through the website you can sign up for upcoming webinars or watch past recordings. Also check out #GivingTuesday tips on npENGAGE, Blackbaud’s blog for nonprofit social media, internet marketing and fundraising.
Again, the most important thing to remember about #GivingTuesday is that there’s no right or wrong way to do it – just do what works best for you and your organization. Like any fundraising campaign, there is no magic formula for success, only results from preparation and hard work!