Latest / The Nonprofit Podcast / Ep 185 | Last-Minute Giving Tuesday Success Tips

Transcript

Ep 185 | Last-Minute Giving Tuesday Success Tips · The Nonprofit Podcast

• 0:00
  SPEAKER_01: Giving Tuesday has become this cultural moment where people say, I want to give.
• 0:04
  SPEAKER_01: I really want to do something good today.
• 0:06
  SPEAKER_01: It's really a mindset of the whole day, and it's so powerful.
• 0:10
  SPEAKER_01: But here's the part we don't talk about enough.
• 0:12
  SPEAKER_01: If you're not asking, if you're quiet or hesitant or thinking you might get lost in the noise, your donors will still give.
• 0:20
  SPEAKER_01: They just may give to someone else.
• 0:23
  SPEAKER_01: The Nonprofit Podcast, powered by DonorBox.
• 0:27
  SPEAKER_01: Welcome to the Nonprofit Podcast.
• 0:29
  SPEAKER_01: I'm Kara Augsperger, Executive Director of Grace Care Center Foundation, and I'm the on the ground podcast correspondent here at DonorBox.
• 0:38
  SPEAKER_01: Each week we share practical information, clear insights, and inspiration to help you raise more, reach further, and drive real results to take your nonprofit to the next level.
• 0:50
  SPEAKER_01: Today we're talking about Giving Tuesday.
• 0:52
  SPEAKER_01: It's the day that every single year sparks both excitement and some mild panic across the fundraising world.
• 0:59
  SPEAKER_01: I hear it all the time.
• 1:00
  SPEAKER_01: Should we even join in?
• 1:02
  SPEAKER_01: Is it worth it?
• 1:03
  SPEAKER_01: Will our message get lost in the noise?
• 1:05
  SPEAKER_01: So today I'm giving you a clear, calm yes, you should show up.
• 1:10
  SPEAKER_01: But we are going to do it in a way that's strategic, it's human, and it's not overwhelming for you or your team.
• 1:17
  SPEAKER_01: All right, let's get started.
• 1:19
  SPEAKER_01: So is Giving Tuesday worth it?
• 1:21
  SPEAKER_01: Yeah, it's worth it.
• 1:23
  SPEAKER_01: Giving Tuesday is really the kickoff to your entire year-end giving season.
• 1:28
  SPEAKER_01: It's that moment that wakes donors up and reminds them, oh, right, this is the time of year when my generosity really matters.
• 1:35
  SPEAKER_01: And culturally, it fits perfectly.
• 1:38
  SPEAKER_01: We've just come out of a long weekend of connection and gratitude with Thanksgiving in the United States.
• 1:44
  SPEAKER_01: People are feeling reflective, they're thinking about what they value, where they belong, and what they want to contribute to.
• 1:51
  SPEAKER_01: So when you show up on Giving Tuesday, you're not just asking for a gift that day.
• 1:56
  SPEAKER_01: You're setting the tone for the whole month of December and the weeks that follow.
• 2:01
  SPEAKER_01: You're establishing the story you're going to tell through your fundraising appeals.
• 2:06
  SPEAKER_01: You're reminding donors why your mission matters and you're creating the momentum that carries you through the biggest giving weeks of the entire year.
• 2:15
  SPEAKER_01: Giving Tuesday isn't just another marketing moment.
• 2:18
  SPEAKER_01: And here's what I want you to remember: people are going to be generous on Giving Tuesday.
• 2:23
  SPEAKER_01: They really are.
• 2:24
  SPEAKER_01: Some of your donors and future donors are literally waiting for this day.
• 2:28
  SPEAKER_01: They've budgeted for it, they've made their list, they're watching for the organizations that show up with clarity and with confidence.
• 2:36
  SPEAKER_01: And Giving Tuesday has become this cultural moment where people say, I want to give.
• 2:58
  SPEAKER_01: So your job is to remind your donors that your mission is still here, your work is still needed, and their generosity still creates real impact.
• 3:09
  SPEAKER_01: Giving Tuesday is your moment to step into the stream of generosity that's already flowing and say, here's what we're doing, here's why it matters, and here's how you can be part of it.
• 3:20
  SPEAKER_01: And quick reframe here: your message doesn't get lost in the noise when it's authentic.
• 3:26
  SPEAKER_01: It will stand out because it sounds like you, not like everyone else.
• 3:31
  SPEAKER_01: So Giving Tuesday is a permission slip to be bold, to be human, and to be present.
• 3:37
  SPEAKER_01: And donors actually expect to hear from you.
• 3:40
  SPEAKER_01: So you are really missing out if you don't show up.
• 3:42
  SPEAKER_01: And all of this about Giving Tuesday, it isn't just a gut feeling.
• 3:46
  SPEAKER_01: There's some data that backs it up in a big way.
• 3:49
  SPEAKER_01: Lindsay Bauer here at Donorbox has an awesome blog about Giving Tuesday.
• 3:53
  SPEAKER_01: And I'll link it in the show notes.
• 3:55
  SPEAKER_01: But she shared that last year's numbers were really staggering.
• 3:59
  SPEAKER_01: Nonprofits in the United States raised$3.6 billion on Giving Tuesday.
• 4:06
  SPEAKER_01: So yes, the generosity is there, but the organizations that raise meaningful dollars, they're the ones who show up prepared, they're intentional, and they're organized.
• 4:16
  SPEAKER_01: Lindsay teaches in her blog something that I really love, something that stood out.
• 4:20
  SPEAKER_01: And it she basically says a checklist isn't extra work this time of year.
• 4:25
  SPEAKER_01: It really reduces the overwhelm and that mental load you're carrying.
• 4:29
  SPEAKER_01: So make that checklist.
• 4:31
  SPEAKER_01: First, you're going to revisit last year's data.
• 4:34
  SPEAKER_01: Then you're going to set up your crowdfunding page and your donor box form.
• 4:38
  SPEAKER_01: You'll recruit some peer-to-peer supporters.
• 4:40
  SPEAKER_01: Those are individuals who will share your message with their network and ask them to support you.
• 4:46
  SPEAKER_01: You're going to plan your emails, you're going to plan your social posts and get those tools ready so you're not scrambling.
• 4:52
  SPEAKER_01: So that's your checklist.
• 4:54
  SPEAKER_01: I know Giving Tuesday is knocking at the door.
• 4:57
  SPEAKER_01: It's days away, but you can create a solid Giving Tuesday plan in a single afternoon.
• 5:03
  SPEAKER_01: You truly can.
• 5:04
  SPEAKER_01: If you have a couple of focused hours, you can get it done.
• 5:08
  SPEAKER_01: And so with your plan on paper, now comes the fun part: figuring out how to show up in a way that feels true to you.
• 5:16
  SPEAKER_01: And it's all about bringing your own personality and your big heart into how you show up on Giving Tuesday.
• 5:23
  SPEAKER_01: This giving season, Grace Care Center Foundation is featuring stories of some of the families we serve.
• 5:30
  SPEAKER_01: We'll put them in our emails, in our social posts so donors can see the real impact their generosity makes.
• 5:36
  SPEAKER_01: That's how we're choosing to do it.
• 5:38
  SPEAKER_01: But here are a few other ideas that don't require a huge team.
• 5:41
  SPEAKER_01: You can pitch your local news with a story about generosity in your community.
• 5:46
  SPEAKER_01: You can send personalized gratitude videos to your monthly donors.
• 5:50
  SPEAKER_01: Maybe you could partner with another organization in your community for a collective impact moment.
• 5:56
  SPEAKER_01: I definitely recommend sharing a LinkedIn post about why your mission matters, or one of my favorites and what I'm currently trying to do, launch a monthly giving upgrade campaign on Giving Tuesday and beyond.
• 6:18
  SPEAKER_01: And if you really want that momentum to carry into the new year, there's one opportunity you cannot afford to overlook.
• 6:25
  SPEAKER_01: Every year-end giving season, I see one common pattern.
• 6:29
  SPEAKER_01: Monthly giving becomes an afterthought.
• 6:31
  SPEAKER_01: But Giving Tuesday is actually the perfect setup for that monthly generosity.
• 6:36
  SPEAKER_01: Your donors are already thinking about giving.
• 6:38
  SPEAKER_01: They're already in that mindset.
• 6:40
  SPEAKER_01: So this year, ask yourself, how can I make it monthly?
• 6:43
  SPEAKER_01: An easy, natural choice for my supporters.
• 6:46
  SPEAKER_01: So I encourage you to tell the story of what sustained generosity makes possible.
• 6:51
  SPEAKER_01: Invite donors into that consistency, not just the urgency.
• 6:55
  SPEAKER_01: And we all express lots of urgency this time of year.
• 6:58
  SPEAKER_01: So share the story of consistency too.
• 7:01
  SPEAKER_01: We've added a make it monthly option on our donation page so that those Giving Tuesday gifts can turn into long-term support.
• 7:09
  SPEAKER_01: And with donor box, it's really easy.
• 7:11
  SPEAKER_01: Donors can easily upgrade that one-time gift into a monthly gift with a single click.
• 7:17
  SPEAKER_01: I have my recurring upsell feature turned on.
• 7:20
  SPEAKER_01: And then you can also customize your giving form to recommend those recurring donations with heart icon.
• 7:28
  SPEAKER_01: You can show some lower amounts for monthly giving as opposed to those one-time donations.
• 7:34
  SPEAKER_01: You can alter those recommended giving amounts on your form.
• 7:37
  SPEAKER_01: Basically, make it simple for donors to give consistently and feel the impact of their gifts over time.
• 7:44
  SPEAKER_01: So let me just say this again in plain terms.
• 7:46
  SPEAKER_01: If you wait until January to think about those steady, ongoing donations, you're already behind.
• 7:52
  SPEAKER_01: So start building that momentum now.
• 7:54
  SPEAKER_01: Okay, now that we've talked about building lasting generosity, let's get practical with the step you can take this week.
• 8:02
  SPEAKER_01: I encourage you, send a quick printed postcard.
• 8:05
  SPEAKER_01: If you have time, let's do this before Giving Tuesday.
• 8:08
  SPEAKER_01: If you miss that Giving Tuesday moment, that's okay.
• 8:10
  SPEAKER_01: You can send a thank you afterwards to your supporters.
• 8:14
  SPEAKER_01: You can send a postcard in those first weeks of December.
• 8:17
  SPEAKER_01: You know, something that supporters can touch really stands out right now.
• 8:21
  SPEAKER_01: And honestly, I've mentioned this before on the podcast, but I'm a huge fan of Appeal Maker.
• 8:27
  SPEAKER_01: It makes sending postcards so easy.
• 8:29
  SPEAKER_01: I just build the postcard, they handle the printing and the mailing, and I'm done.
• 8:33
  SPEAKER_01: And I love that you can get started.
• 8:36
  SPEAKER_01: I have a free account, no credit card needed.
• 8:38
  SPEAKER_01: And I'll link it in the show notes, but I encourage you to go on to their website, find more info, select some templates you like, and just start building something.
• 8:48
  SPEAKER_01: I'm going to send a postcard after Giving Tuesday to give our donors something tangible, just that little reminder that their generosity truly matters.
• 8:56
  SPEAKER_01: It really is one of the simplest ways to keep that momentum going and remind your donors, you matter, your generosity matters, and we see you.
• 9:04
  SPEAKER_01: It's so important this time of year.
• 9:06
  SPEAKER_01: And you know, all the planning and prep in the world matters most when you put it into action.
• 9:11
  SPEAKER_01: And so here's how to do that on Giving Tuesday.
• 9:14
  SPEAKER_01: We've covered the why and the how.
• 9:15
  SPEAKER_01: Now let's focus on the what.
• 9:17
  SPEAKER_01: Three things to do on the day itself.
• 9:20
  SPEAKER_01: If you only do three things on Giving Tuesday, do these.
• 9:24
  SPEAKER_01: Send your kickoff email early in the day, keep it short, clear, and confident.
• 9:29
  SPEAKER_01: Then post updates throughout the day.
• 9:31
  SPEAKER_01: You can share stories, you can share fundraising milestones, and please, please, please share lots and lots of gratitude.
• 9:38
  SPEAKER_01: And then keep an eye on your goal throughout the day.
• 9:41
  SPEAKER_01: There are some slow times and there are some upticks in giving.
• 9:44
  SPEAKER_01: And those slow moments are really chances to take action.
• 9:47
  SPEAKER_01: So keep communicating with your supporters throughout the day.
• 9:51
  SPEAKER_01: I'm planning some short, authentic updates to share milestones and lots of gratitude.
• 9:56
  SPEAKER_01: I really want to keep donors in the loop and keep them inspired.
• 9:59
  SPEAKER_01: Remember, donors give because they're inspired and because you asked.
• 10:04
  SPEAKER_01: Your job is to simply guide them throughout the day, guide them as they make their choices.
• 10:10
  SPEAKER_01: So as we wrap up today's episode, I say yes.
• 10:14
  SPEAKER_01: Show up for Giving Tuesday, but do it in a way that fits your team, your style, and your mission.
• 10:20
  SPEAKER_01: I just want to encourage you, you're not behind.
• 10:23
  SPEAKER_01: You're not too late.
• 10:24
  SPEAKER_01: You are right on time to make this moment meaningful.
• 10:28
  SPEAKER_01: And as always, you're not doing this alone.
• 10:30
  SPEAKER_01: I'm right here with you.
• 10:31
  SPEAKER_01: I'm figuring things out.
• 10:32
  SPEAKER_01: I'm trying new things, and I'm certainly cheering you on.
• 10:36
  SPEAKER_01: If you want tools to simplify things, head to donorbox.org.
• 10:40
  SPEAKER_01: If you want to try that postcard idea, please go to appealmaker.com.
• 10:44
  SPEAKER_01: And if you want some encouragement, well, come back here next week.
• 10:47
  SPEAKER_01: Until then, take a breath.
• 10:49
  SPEAKER_01: You've got this, and thank you for being part of the nonprofit podcast community.
• 10:55
  SPEAKER_01: Your work matters, and we're honored to support it.
• 10:58
  SPEAKER_01: If you enjoyed this episode, share it, leave a review, or subscribe to our YouTube channel.
• 11:03
  SPEAKER_01: Until next time, take that first step and stay inspired.
• 11:08
  SPEAKER_00: That warm feeling when you help someone, it's not just happiness, it's fulfillment.
• 11:13
  SPEAKER_00: And we believe it should be available to everyone.
• 11:16
  SPEAKER_00: From frontline heroes to first time fundraisers.
• 11:19
  SPEAKER_00: Our tools empower you to help others.
• 11:22
  SPEAKER_00: This is our mission.
• 11:24
  SPEAKER_00: This is DonorBox, helping you help others.