This #GivingTuesday checklist will guide you through planning a successful #GivingTuesday campaign. It will take 15–30 hours of staff time for your organization to prepare well — and following this plan will help you effectively use that time and make it well worth the investment.
The #GivingTuesday Checklist for Success
Mark Your Calendar
☐ Mark all calendars with December 3rd, 2024, and start a project plan schedule.
☐ Select a staff member or volunteer as the point person, who has strong leadership and organizational skills, and can commit to the entire campaign timeline and process.
☐ Establish success metrics that include more than winning a prize. For example, treat the giving day as a capacity-building exercise; use it to highlight a program, or to cultivate new donors. Develop and build a communication plan around clear goals.
☐ If you are not currently using social media as a marketing tool, start now! Social media enables you to reach and engage with people across channels and starts the peer-to-peer word-of-mouth campaign. In addition, Facebook is one of the top traffic sources to online giving days. We have provided a guide to Twitter and Facebook to help you get started in the nonprofit toolkit.
Getting Started
☐ Click the “Register” button on the #GivingTuesday site.
☐ Register to attend an upcoming training event that will walk you through creating, sharing, and utilizing your page.
☐ Once approval of your registration is received, log in to your account and navigate to your organization’s profile on the right side of the website’s header.
☐ Begin customizing your nonprofit’s page on Mightycause. This Mightycause support article will walk you through customizing your page’s look, step-by-step.
As Early As Possible
☐ Approach corporations, local businesses, board members, and major donors who are strong supporters of your organization to provide a matching grant incentive.
☐ Personally ask top donors to commit to giving on #GivingTuesday Your donors might be used to giving at a particular time of year, so you’ll want them to put the day on their calendar now and be ready to give. Explain why giving on December 3rd, 2024, matters and how their donation specifically on that date can make an exponential impact.
1 Month Before #GivingTuesday
☐ Decide on fundraising goals (dollars, number of donors, etc.) and what that means for your organization. Communicate goals to your supporters.
☐ Promote the event on social media, your newsletter, emails, and on your website. Be clear that #GivingTuesday is on Tuesday, December 3rd. Donors can start donating two weeks prior, on November 19th. Update your e-mail signature to include a “coming soon” announcement with #GivingTuesday’s date.
☐ Start telling engaging stories on your nonprofit’s blog and social media. Interview volunteers and beneficiaries of the work of your nonprofit. Post the videos on your Mightycause page and your nonprofit’s blog. Giving is an emotional activity and stories help people engage and see how they can play a part in making a difference.
☐ Consider hosting and begin to plan an offline event during #GivingTuesday. This can be a simple open house at your office or meetup at a local coffee shop or restaurant. Print out half sheets with a QR code to your nonprofit’s page so people can give in person on their smartphone at your event.
1–2 Weeks Before #GivingTuesday
☐ Update your Facebook status with a link to your #GivingTuesday page. Donors can begin donating on November 19th.
☐ Encourage your staff and volunteers to do one-on-one outreach to their friends and networks. Word-of-mouth is crucial — most people donate because they are asked by a friend or family.
☐ Set up your matching grant on Mightycause, and publicize it in your communications.
☐ Consider doing a countdown on Facebook and Twitter by posting a new image in your status update each morning.
☐ If donors will be away on the giving day, they can schedule their donation ahead of time. Send them a link to your nonprofit’s page on the #GivingTuesday brand. Their payment will process immediately, but count toward your nonprofit’s #GivingTuesday totals.
☐ Finalize volunteers or volunteer duties for day of events. Prepare all necessary outreach materials.
☐ Prepare communication pieces you plan to send during the giving day. Leave open spots for real-time information, but creating a template ahead of time will give you more time to think and be clear about what you are saying in the midst of a busy day.
1–2 Days Before #GivingTuesday (December 1st or 2nd, 2024)
☐ Send out email reminders to supporters and ask them to spread the word throughout their circles of influence.
☐ Confirm volunteers for day of activities.
☐ Post 2–3 times a day on your social media channels. Don’t just ask for money, but stir up excitement by pointing out what makes your community so great and worth investing in on #GivingTuesday.
☐ Continue posting stories on your social media accounts, blog and Mightycause page. Help people understand the unique way your nonprofit is equipped to serve the community. Show them how you make a difference in their neighborhood and how their donation enables you to do even more.
☐ Review #GivingTuesday checklist to see if any past tasks have been missed.
On #GivingTuesday (December 3rd, 2024)
☐ Send 3 e-mails throughout the day to supporters. Include specific actions of what they can do, (ex: donate, like your nonprofit page on Facebook, tell 5 friends to donate, tweet a link to our nonprofit page, etc).
- Update them on fundraising progress.
- Remind them of your overall goal.
- Provide a reason for them to give again, like the challenge grant, prizes, or golden ticket awards
- Let them know if any prizes have been won
☐ Utilize Facebook and Twitter to cheer on and thank donors with status updates in real-time.
☐ Ask questions to generate conversation & community.
The Day After Giving Day (December 4th, 2024)
☐ Announce your successes on social media, your website, and email. Be sure to include information about:
- Matching grants met
- Awards won
- Number of donors
- Money raised
☐ Send thank you e-mails to donors 1–2 days after the even to tell them how their donation was put to good work and made a difference. Don’t forget to provide updates about your nonprofit and make it easy for them to stay in touch.
☐ Send physical thank-you notes to top donors.
☐ Add all donors to your database, and invite them to cultivation events and/or one-on-one meeting.
Further After #GivingTuesday
☐ Fill out survey on the #GivingTuesday post-event site and tell us about your experience and success during the event.
☐ Make sure to share final numbers in newsletter and other communications.
☐ Sign up for next year!
Need help planning for #GivingTuesday? The Mightycause #GivingTuesday Nonprofit Toolkit includes templates, tips, images, explanations, and more! Register and start your #GivingTuesday campaign today!