Last-Minute Tips for #GivingTuesday

Thanksgiving has come and gone. The parades are over, leftovers are put away, and house guests are heading home. Now it’s time to turn your attention to #GivingTuesday. With just a few days until the big event, you may be wondering what you can do in such a short amount of time. Is it even worth participating this year?

Yes! Absolutely!

There’s plenty you can do between now and Tuesday to take advantage of this global giving movement and Network for Good has the resources you need. Use our Ultimate #GivingTuesday Checklist to make sure you’re ready for the big day.

For a deep dive into all your year-end fundraising needs, our recent virtual conference, Tips to Rock #GivingTuesday and Year-End Fundraising, is just the thing. Almost 2,000 nonprofits listened in on an afternoon full of tips and strategies for a successful #GivingTuesday and year-end campaign. It was so popular we thought we’d share some of the highlights here on our blog. If you weren’t able to tune in, here’s what you missed:

Kimberley O’Donnell (Lead Coach, Network for Good) and Alison Cook Beatty (Founder, Alison Cook Beatty Dance) discussed the successes and lessons learned from the dance company’s first fundraising campaign.

“The one thing that is really important to consider is an integrated fundraising campaign; one that has direct mail, email, and text messaging. One that leverages your website, social media, and phone calls. An integrated fundraising campaign can generate a 20 percent increase in your gifts.” — Kimberly O’Donnell

And Alison added some observations about her own #GivingTuesday campaign.

“#GivingTuesday is not always about money. It’s about other ways that people can give. There are so many ways that people can give back to nonprofits.” — Alison Cook Beatty

Asha Curran (Chief Innovation Officer and Director, Belfer Center for Innovation & Social Impact, 92nd Street Y) shared her insights as one of the original organizers of #GivingTuesday.

“#GivingTuesday was meant to be about everyday people and their relationship to generosity.” — Asha Curran

After the break, Kendra Sinclair (Strategic Partner Manager, Facebook) offered strategies you can use this #GivingTuesday to take advantage of the charitable matching on Facebook.

“Charitable giving on Facebook makes it easy to raise awareness and funds for causes that you and your supporters care about.” — Kendra Sinclair

And wrapping up the afternoon, David King (President and CEO, Alexander Haas, Inc.) discussed what nonprofits should be doing to reach their year-end fundraising goals with only five weeks left in the year.

“A lot of year-end giving is going to happen online. Make sure that your online giving capability is functioning properly, make sure it’s easy, make sure there’s a Donate Now button on your homepage.” — David King

Download the complete conference for more of their expert advice for a successful #GivingTuesday and year-end campaign.

Happy fundraising!