#FundraisingFriday - Get Ready for Giving Tuesday

The biggest fundraising day of the entire year is rapidly approaching! Are you ready? Don’t panic - we’re going to focus  this #FundraisingFriday article about how to prepare for Giving Tuesday and how to stand out from the crowd when asking for donations.

#GivingTuesday is recognized as the universal day of giving and the unofficial start of the end of the year donation push by organizations around the world. Nonprofits and charities use the last Tuesday of November to celebrate their missions and request donations from the public to support their cause.

There are a lot of voices, a lot of great causes, and a lot of marketing that goes into these donation asks online and by mail. With so many options, so much information, and only so much money to go around, you and your mission must stand out.

We’ve got 3 sure-fire ways to do your best this #GivingTuesday:

1. Be authentic
2. Be mission-driven
3. Engage your niche audience

‍Be authentic. Just because someone else online is making a fancy dance video for their nonprofit, doesn’t mean you need to go hire a choreographer. If it doesn’t fit with your brand, don’t force it. A fancy dance video works if you’re supporting youth dance courses, but if you’re saving endangered species in Africa, that’s probably not your best fit. Don’t do a trend just to check a box; do it because it will connect to your donors’ hearts and help them see why they should donate to your mission.

‍Be mission-driven. Similar to the advice above, you’ve got to sell your mission to the public. Tell the donor what your mission is, why it matters to them, and how their donations will make a difference regardless of the amount. Stay on topic, use similar copy, and make sure you’re honest about how your funds are being used to improve in the community. Honesty shines through in your media - words and imagery. If you’re faking it, donors will know. Be true to your mission in your words and actions to stand out to donors.

‍Engage your niche audience. This one depends on your bandwidth and staffing capabilities, but whatever you do, do it 110%! If you’re going to send a handwritten note to every single donor, do it with the nicest pen and a unique thank you card. If you can’t make that work, give them a group or individual shout out on social media for every donation on Giving Tuesday. However you do it, give your donors a pat on the back for doing the right thing. This virtue signaling that is genuine from your actions has a psychological impact on others who see it: they’ll think, “so and so got a shout out. I want one too, so I’ll consider donating”. This signaling will increase the engagement on your posts and/or your donation landing page which are both great things for capturing potential donors!

Whatever you do, however you do it - do it with honesty, integrity, and genuine kindness in your heart. You’re passionate about your organization and their mission. That will shine through in your marketing material and call to action for donations this #GivingTuesday and end of year donation season. Believe in yourself and your mission - the donors will follow suit.

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NEP Services makes fundraising simple! NEP Services was founded in 1997, focusing primarily on direct mail and telemarketing for police organizations. These services proved instrumental in helping law enforcement clients fund community initiatives and build positive relationships within the communities they serve. Since our founding, NEP Services has been driven by our commitment to developing innovative technology that empowers our clients and the communities they serve. Our journey has been marked by remarkable milestones, achieved through the tenacity and diverse talents of our exceptional team. As the world continues to evolve, we remain dedicated to continuous innovation, setting ambitious goals, and providing the tools and support our clients need to make a lasting impact.