Getting Ready For #GivingTuesdayNow

What is #GivingTuesdayNow?

“#GivingTuesdayNow is a one-day event that will bring sectors together in generosity for a global day of unity.” -The Giving Tuesday Team

GivingTuesday recently announced a dedicated Day of Global Action for Giving and Unity in response to COVID19. #GivingTuesdayNow brings together Individuals, Nonprofits, Communities, Small Businesses, Brands and more, providing a unified moment for giving back on May 5, 2020. 

Deciding to Participate:

In difficult times, it can feel as though asking for donations is distasteful or ill-timed. Your organization will need to decide if and how you are going to participate. Keep in mind #GivingTuesdayNow is a great time to be creative. Perhaps you use the day to thank your supporters, create a handful of thoughtful social media posts or you are planning to launch a full peer-to-peer campaign (read on for tips related to this idea). No matter what your organization decides, keep in mind, the goal of the day (just like #GivingTuesday) is to encourage global generosity in all its forms. Finally, if you are still on the fence about participating, let me encourage you to plan something small. What if, for example, a donor comes to you on this day wanting to donate/ support your organization, you will want to have an answer prepared.

Marketing Ideas to Help You Participate:

• Schools and Universities raise funds for student relief.  
• Zoos, Museums, Theaters can leverage pre-recorded video or livestreaming to show social networks a behind the scenes look, while collecting donations to support a re-opening.  
• Food Banks can launch virtual food drives. 
• Healthcare organizations can collect funds for supplies or staff support (lunches, masks, etc) 
• Corporations can either offer matching gifts to existing partnerships with nonprofits. (Bonus if companies offer matching gifts for employee donations).   
• Foundations can create a generalized media campaign, highlighting COVID-19 relief efforts. 
• Churches can raise funds through a virtual offering plate.
• Nonprofits can create a general #GivingTuesdayNow campaign, accepting donations to a general fund, for unspecified use internally. If you had a major fundraising event canceled this spring, you can leverage this campaign as a pivot, asking for donors to give in response. 
• Supporters can run virtual fitness fundraisers by finally dusting off that old bike in the corner and raising money for every hour ridden. Or perhaps you want to do laps around the back yard. Fundraisers can share photos and videos throughout training or the actual event! 
• Encourage Facebook Live or Instagram Live feed and teach their friends a skill (calligraphy, watercolor, guitar) with a link to a personal fundraising page to drive donations 

Using the Feature of everydayhero to Power your #GivingTuesdayNow Efforts

If you have decided to use #GivingTuesdayNow to leverage a peer-to-peer fundraising campaign, here are some features in everydayhero you will want to take advantage of:

• Create a campaign for #GivingTuesdayNow, enabling personal fundraising pages. Set a fundraising goal for the campaign and establish the default target for personal fundraising pages somewhere between $100-$250.  
• Provide sample text fundraisers can use to share on social media, email or throughout their calls to action. You can also share tips from our Personal Fundraising Checklist to ensure optimum success! 
• In order to make a compelling case, leverage the Story section on a campaign to articulate your organization’s impact form the coronavirus and why donating to you and your programs will make an impact.
• Add pictures that show how your organization is responding to COVID-19, showcase your generosity and hope for the future.

A List of Fabulous Resources

• #GivingTuesdayNow website
• 10 Ways to Participate in GivingTuesdayNow Without Asking for Money
• Social Media Toolkit from GivingTuesdayNow
• GivingTuesdayNow Graphics and Logos
• FAQ from GivingTuesdayNow
• Sample Press Release from GivingTuesdayNow
• A Guide for Planning your #GivingTuesdayNow Campaign in 5 Days