Nonprofit Outreach Examples Successful Idaho Gives Tactics
Introduction Idaho nonprofits did a fabulous job in 2014. Your combined efforts prompted Idahoans to give over $780,000 in 24 hours. Now, it’s time to do it again. Whether you’re looking for fresh ideas, or you’re new to Idaho Gives and not quite sure where to start, these examples of some of the best nonprofit outreach from 2014 should help get your wheels turning. We weren’t able to recognize all of the great outreach work done by nonprofits last year, but we have chosen a few examples of both tried-and-true best practices and innovative new ways to get the word out about Idaho Gives, show donors why they should support your cause, connect with new audiences, and reengage with existing supporters. Let’s get started!
Idaho Gives Website Profile This is where it all leads — on Idaho Gives day, every single donor will have to visit your Idaho Gives Profile to donate to you. Whether they already know and love your work, or they’re browsing for new causes to support, donors will be more likely to give to your cause if you can wow them on your Profile page. A few best practices and some clever tactics: •
Take advantage of the Idaho Gives website functionality to show donors what $10, $20, $100 and so on can do for the people your nonprofit serves.
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Use plenty of photos that demonstrate visually the important work you do.
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Tell compelling stories about real accomplishments.
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If you have a specific use in mind for the money raised during Idaho Gives, let your donors know.
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If you’re planning an Idaho Gives celebration event, invite donors to come.
Humane Society of the Palouse
Good visuals
Took advantage of website functionality to clearly articulate need
Semilla Nueva
Good visuals
Told a compelling story about a real person helped by their work
Teton Regional Land Trust
Invited donors to an Idaho Gives event
Made the case for giving on Idaho Gives Day
Articulated plans for use of donations
North Idaho Violence Prevention Center
Started with a compelling story
Demonstrated iimpact
Idaho Falls School District 91 Education Foundation
Led with attainable goal
Took advantage of website functionality to clearly articulate need
Donor Emails Your email lists are an invaluable tool for raising money on Idaho Gives day, so use them to their fullest potential! Whether you have the resources to design a beautiful email template, or you just send plain-text emails, there is a myriad of creative ways to engage donors leading up to and on the day of Idaho Gives. Finally, please remember: use email to thank your donors! A few best practices and some clever tactics: •
Engage your email contacts before Idaho Gives day. Make sure they know where to go to donate to your cause. Use your unique URL to get them directly to your profile page.
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Let donors know they can schedule donations before May 7.
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Create fun Idaho Gives-related content and ask donors to share it. (See Girl Scouts of Silver Sage example).
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Consider sending a quick, immediate thank-you to donors on the day of. You can send out another email later if you like, but even a plain text thank-you email on Idaho Gives day is a great way to recognize donors.
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If you’re hosting a celebration event, invite donors to come.
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Make another ask when Idaho Gives day is nearing a close. Remind donors how they can help you win extra money with their donations.
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Let your donors know your final results and thank them for thinking of you during Idaho Gives.
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Consider new and fun ways to thank donors, such as through short videos (see Planned Parenthood example).
Girl Scouts of Silver Sage Contacted donors ahead of Idaho Gives Day.
Created fun content and an ask for donors prior to Idaho Gives Day
Girl Scouts of Silver Sage
Fun and attractive email layout
Invited donors to an Idaho Gives event
The Children’s School Made another ask before end of day
ACLU of Idaho
Thanked donors immediately with a simple note and invited to celebrate
Semilla Nueva
Let donors know the overall results of Idaho Gives day and thanked them again.
Planned Parenthood
This link led to a personalized thankperson you video that many yo recipients then shared
Social Media Campaigns Consider social media your Idaho Gives bullhorn. It’s the perfect tool to get the attention of people who already know your work, and to help yourself get discovered by new supporters. Even if you don’t have a big following on social media, the general buzz around Idaho Gives can help drive more traffic to your social media pages, especially if you’re engaging with the Idaho Gives profiles, other nonprofits, and your existing followers leading up to and on Idaho Gives day. A few best practices and some clever tactics: •
Use lots of photos. If possible, get out into the community on Idaho Gives day, and post photos of your activities. Use photos to tell a visual story about the work you do. (See Boise Bicycle Project and Idaho Humane Society examples).
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Create a specific reason for donors to give on Idaho Gives day (see Boise Bicycle Project and Planned Parenthood) examples.
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Let donors know how the award pool works, and issue a call to action if you’re close to winning a prize.
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Consider setting goals for Idaho Gives day and update your donors on your progress.
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Use humor. Post funny photos or create a mascot that can get in on the Idaho Gives fun.
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Encourage donors to give throughout the day, and consider a big push in the last hours of the day.
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If your supporters are posting about you, share their posts.
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Remember to thank your donors!
Boise Bicycle Project
Created a specific reason to give on Idaho Gives day and found a way to get out into the community
Created a Facebook event to remind donors to give on Idaho Gives day
Posted ed photos and vide videos throughout the day
Idaho Humane Society
Good visual storytelling
Used Twitter to remind donors of their work, plus used creative and engaging language
WI&M Railway History Preservation Group
Let donors know how the award pool works
Set a specific goal for Idaho Gives day and let donors know about it
Encouraged donors to keep giving throughout the day and kept updating donors on status of goal
Celebrated reaching their goal
Used social media to thank donors and reminded donors of the goal that they helped the nonprofit achieve
Idaho Falls School District 91 Education Foundation Created visual assets, which perform better on Facebook, to remind donors about Idaho Gives
Issued a call for support as they neared the top of the leaderboard
Good use of humor
Planned Parenthood
Gave a compelling reason to donate on Idaho Gives day
Made thank you videos for donors and re-Tweeted them when donors posted the videos on their own social media Created a mascot
Created visual assets, which perform better on Facebook, to thank donors