Does your parish participate in #GivingTuesday? If not, you’re missing a HUGE opportunity to reach more people locally and globally. The goal of #GivingTuesday (aka National Day of Giving) is to create a wave of generosity that touches people across the world. Since its inception in 2012, it’s been an enormous success for faith-based organizations.
Lastyear, over 14.2 billion social media impressions were made on #GivingTuesday.The average online gift was $105, and over $400 million was raised. This year,experts predict a record-breaking 26% increase in giving compared to2018—surpassing $500 million in gifts.
Whetheryou’re new to the generosity movement, or you want to break your donationrecord from last year, here are 7 techniques to maximize your campaign.
1. Utilize text giving
Offeringthe option to donate via smartphone, tablet, or computer is a great way toincrease online giving. But, don’t ignore text giving! Roughly 99% of textmessages are read and responded to within 5 minutes of being received. Withtext giving, people can give in two simple steps, and it only takes seconds.
2. Get active on social media and your website
#GivingTuesdayis powered by social media and happens beyond the brick and mortar walls of yourparish. Being active on social media and directing people to the giving page onyour parish’s website is key to kicking off the season of generosity.
3. Share engaging stories that emphasize how giving matters
Evenif there are only a few days left before #GivingTuesday, engage parishioners byproviding fresh content and stories. Make sure the stories have a clearpurpose, are personal to your parish, and that they’re engaging. People oftengive more when they understand the cause and feel an emotional connection withit.
4. Focus on one cause
Focuson one purpose that’s important to your community. If you can, make it uniquefrom other funds you run throughout the year. One way to choose a cause thatpeople want to get involved in (and raise awareness that your parish isparticipating in #GivingTuesday) is to ask your community what’s most importantto them. Then, you can create a special donation form for your#GivingTuesday fund.
Ifyou’re looking for ideas, these are the top 5 issues discussed and donated tolast year:
- Public and societal benefits
- Human services
- Education
- Health
- Environment and animals
5. Look at past year results
Pastyear results provide the necessary information to set new goals for thisyear, and they give you a better idea of which techniques work (and whichdon’t). Not only can this help you with your #GivingTuesday campaign, but itcan help with ALL giving campaigns that you promote online in the future.
6. Don’t forget to use hashtags
Evenif you aren’t big into using hashtags, this is one time you shouldn’t skip it.Use #GivingTuesday in all your posts to ensure that your parish pops up whenpeople search for that hashtag. This is one more way you can reach potentialgivers that may not have known about your parish or the message behind it. Fora special touch, create hashtags that are specific to your mission.
7. Give everyone a big thank you!
Year-endcan get hectic, so have a plan to send out thank you messages to those whodonated quickly. Also, thank volunteers and staff members that helped organizethe #GivingTuesday campaign. People will notice that you appreciate theircontribution when you express heartfelt gratitude. And they’ll continue toremember that well into the future. Additionally, a follow-up thank you is onemore opportunity to reach out and highlight the most meaningful aspects of yourministry.
Learn more about how ParishSOFT Giving can help you have a successful #GivingTuesday by contacting us at 866-930-4774 x6 or by filling out our online form.