If you’re planning for GivingTuesday and need helpful, last-minute strategies, a few focused actions can help you make the most of this important day, happening on December 3rd. From a memorable campaign name to engaging digital storytelling, here’s how to get set up for success and inspire generosity.
1. Define Your Goal
Before anything else, clarify your campaign goal. A concrete target—like raising $5,000 to provide food and medical care for 100 rescue animals—adds urgency and gives supporters a clear way to help.
While planning your goal this year, be sure to also think about tracking a few key metrics to measure success and gain insights for future campaigns. Ask questions like: How much did we raise? How many people shared our message? How many people were reached through the campaign? These insights will be valuable for upcoming efforts.
2. Craft a Compelling Campaign Name and Narrative
Once your goal is set, create a campaign name and narrative that resonates. The narrative should answer these three questions:
- Belief Statement: Why is this important? Appeal to a shared belief with your supporters.
- “You” Statement: Let them know they have the power to make a difference.
- Opportunity Statement: Share what they can do to help—whether it’s donating, volunteering, or spreading the word.
An example might be, “Help Us Raise $10,000 by December 3rd to Provide Vital Nutrition for 500 New Mothers!”
3. Inclusive Ways to Support
Encourage all forms of generosity! GivingTuesday celebrates various ways to give, so make it easy for people to participate in multiple ways. Not everyone can contribute financially, but many are willing to offer their time, skills, or connections to support your cause. Here’s how to offer multiple ways for people to get involved beyond donations:
- Volunteer Time: Invite supporters to volunteer, whether in person or virtually, by helping with outreach, organizing events, or supporting daily operations.
- Share Their Skills: Many supporters have valuable skills they’d love to share. Invite those with expertise in graphic design, writing, marketing, or event planning to lend their talents to your campaign.
- Spread the Word: Not all contributions are hands-on; simply spreading the word can be incredibly effective. Encourage your audience to share your campaign across their social media, forward your newsletter, or engage with your content online to help expand your reach.
- Connections: Some supporters may have networks or relationships that can amplify your message. Encourage them to introduce your campaign to friends, family, or even potential sponsors who may be interested in supporting your cause.
By offering a variety of ways to participate, you allow a broader range of people to support your campaign. Every act of generosity—whether giving time, talent, or resources—helps build momentum and inspires others to join in.
4. Amplify By Telling Your Story
Bring your mission to life by using social media, blogs, and newsletters to engage and educate in a powerful, memorable way. Here’s how to make it impactful:
- Start with a Hook: Grab attention with a strong opening that immediately connects to your call-to-action. Start with a surprising statistic or question like, “Did you know that 50 animals are abandoned in our community each day?” to engage and motivate action.
- Humanize Your Content: Make it personal and relatable by sharing real stories. Highlight the journey of one of your beneficiaries, like a rescue animal that found a loving home thanks to your supporters.
- Plan Your Story Arc: Keep your message cohesive with a clear beginning, middle, and end that leads your audience naturally to the next step. Introduce a challenge—like overcrowding in your shelter—show how support has helped in the past, and lead to a call for action to address current needs.
- Use Visuals to Amplify Your Message: Pair your story with compelling high-quality visuals like photos, videos, or infographics. A photo of a pet before and after rescue, for example, can powerfully communicate your mission and inspire empathy, while a short video of a recent adoption day can showcase the joy your supporters helped make possible.
- Repurpose Content Across Platforms: Get more mileage out of your best-performing content by adapting it for different platforms. High-performing social posts can be shared in newsletters, or blog content can be adapted into a short video.
5. Leverage Newsletters for Last-Minute Outreach
Newsletters are a quick way to share updates and drive action. Here’s how to make the most of them:
- Inspire with Stories: Share personal, relatable experiences to connect emotionally with your readers. For example, if your campaign is running a food bank, highlight your volunteers and share why they’re passionate about giving back. These stories show potential donors the real-world impact of their support.
- Countdown Reminders: Start a countdown to build excitement and keep GivingTuesday top-of-mind. By sending regular updates about your goals and progress, you remind your audience that every moment counts and that their involvement makes a difference.
- Compelling Calls-to-Action: Using engaging, simple, action-oriented language and visuals that helps guide your readers towards taking the next step, whether that’s donating, volunteering, or spreading the word about your cause. Make buttons large and visible, and try simple, powerful phrases like, “Donate $20 to plant 5 trees.” This removes friction for readers who are ready to take action.
- Visual Storytelling Elements: Use high-quality images, videos, or graphics to create a more visually engaging experience. When sharing statistics or data, use clear, colorful visuals that make complex data easy to understand, helping your audience quickly grasp the key points.
- Canva Templates: Keep your visuals consistent and engaging with GivingTuesday-specific templates. Find those here.
6. Set Up a GivingTuesday Fundraising Page
A dedicated GivingTuesday landing page can simplify your outreach and give supporters an easy way to engage. Here are some essentials:
- Centralize Campaign Details: Keep all key messages, calls-to-action, and campaign highlights in one easy-to-navigate place on your website.
- Use a Canva Template for Quick Setup: If creating a new page from scratch is challenging, try using Canva’s customizable GivingTuesday page template, which includes step-by-step instructions on setting up a donation page. Find it here.
By applying these last-minute tips, you can maximize the success of your GivingTuesday campaign. A clear goal, memorable narrative, inclusive ways to participate, and storytelling tools will inspire generosity and leave a lasting impression. A few focused actions can go a long way, helping you build a campaign that moves people to action.
