November is finally here, and if you’re a nonprofit leader, you know exactly what that means. Giving Tuesday is almost here! This important day doesn’t just offer a massive opportunity for an end-of-year surge. It also hands you a great chance to build lasting, year-round fundraising success. 

 

So, why are we here? We want to share some simple, active strategies to help your organization not just participate, but thrive online this Giving Tuesday. And for all the months that follow. Think of this as your hands-on toolkit.

 

Launch Your Impact

On Giving Tuesday, donors will actively seek out great causes like yours to support. Your primary goal is to stay visible, share an inspiring message, and accept their generosity easily. 

 

Tune Up Your Digital Home Base

Let’s be honest, your website and donation page are your organization’s tireless workers. But are they pulling their weight?

 

Make it Mobile-First: Over half of all web traffic starts on phones. Therefore, your donation form must work well on a mobile screen. Keep fields simple, buttons large, and load times quick.

 

Build a Specific Campaign Page: Don’t make donors hunt! Instead of sending them to your general ‘Donate’ link, construct a dedicated Giving Tuesday landing page that clearly describes:

• Your Goal: Set a specific, measurable objective. For example, “Raise $10,000 to buy 200 winter coats”.
• The Difference: Use powerful stories, great photos, and video to show donors what their money accomplishes.
• Momentum: Include a progress tracker! Seeing the needle move builds excitement and encourages that final push. 

 

Offer Ongoing Giving: Feature a monthly giving option prominently on your donation form. A donor who gives $10 each month often brings in more value long-term than a one-time $50 gift.

 

Share Your Story Powerfully

Remember, people support people and missions they genuinely care about.

 

Use Authentic Voice: Create short, sincere videos (even simple ones shot on a phone!) that feature beneficiaries, volunteers, or staff explaining your mission and the current need. Sincerity always resonates more than overly polished production.

 

Tell Donor Stories: One powerful story about a life your nonprofit changed makes a bigger impression than a dozen statistics. Just be sure to always get permission first!

 

Secure a Match: Find a matching gift sponsor (a board member, local business, or major donor) and promote this opportunity everywhere! Knowing their gift will be doubled strongly motivates a donor. 

 

Activate Your Supporters (Peer-to-Peer Fundraising)

Your most enthusiastic supporters are your organization’s best salespeople. 

 

Recruit and Prepare: Reach out and ask board members, long-term volunteers, and consistent donors to create their own personal fundraising pages that benefit your cause.

 

Give Them Resources: Hand them a ready-made toolkit with pre-written social posts, engaging images, and simple instructions. This simple act reduces obstacles and makes sharing your message easy for them within their personal circles.

 

Year-Round Fundraising

Giving Tuesday feels like a sprint, but nurturing your donor relationships is absolutely a long-distance effort. So, let’s use the excitement from December 2nd to keep your success going throughout the year.

 

Improve the Donor Experience: Once the donation is finished, what happens next? An immediate, simple, and branded thank-you email and receipt is required. It sets the tone! 

 

Focus on Keeping Donors: Your first-time Giving Tuesday donors are priceless. Take care of them thoughtfully!

• Send a personalized welcome email series right away.
• Share quarterly reports showing the real difference they made. 
• Invite them to a low-pressure volunteer activity or event—a chance to get involved, not just give. 
• Call or mail a handwritten note to your first-time larger donors.

 

Connect Your Channels: Your website, email, and social media need to work together. They must all look consistent and drive visitors back to your central online giving site. 

 

Review Your Technology: A poor, frustrating donation process can stop a gift dead in its tracks. Invest in a user-friendly fundraising platform that works seamlessly with your CRM.

 

Making Generosity Last

Take a moment today to streamline your online giving and nail down your follow-up plan. When you do this, you won’t just participate in Giving Tuesday. You’ll change a single day of generosity into a continuous force that sustains your mission all year long.

Ready to put this plan into action? We know your time is precious, especially now. Don’t wait—schedule a discovery call with us today! We will quickly review your current setup and provide immediate, actionable steps you can take to capture more gifts this Giving Tuesday.