1. Start early (and warm up your audience)
You don’t have to wait until Tuesday to start your GivingTuesday campaign. In fact, starting early can make all the difference.
The organizations that see the most success begin warming up their audience weeks in advance (so, around now!) by reminding supporters who they are, why their mission matters, and how they can get involved.
Start with the basics:
- Send a quick “save the date” email to let supporters know your plans for December 2.
- Share behind-the-scenes moments on social media, like how you’re preparing, who you’re helping, or what a donation will make possible.
- Reconnect with past supporters through a thank-you message or an impact story to remind them of the difference their support makes.
These small touchpoints create recognition and trust before you ever make an ask. So when GivingTuesday arrives, people already feel connected to your story and ready to act.
For more ideas on building anticipation and rallying supporters, check out GivingTuesday.org’s Toolkit for Nonprofits.
2. Focus on making your story shine
At the heart of every gift is a story that moves someone to act. ❤️
On GivingTuesday itself, your story is what helps you stand out in a sea of donation links. This is your moment to show the heart behind your mission — not just what you do, but why it matters right now.
The most memorable GivingTuesday campaigns focus on one clear, human story that captures your mission in action. It could be a person you’ve helped, a volunteer making a difference, or a behind-the-scenes look at your team serving the community.
Keep it simple and specific:
- Show, don’t just tell. A short video or photo paired with a real quote or moment of impact can speak louder than a long caption.
- Focus on one strong message. Instead of posting multiple times with different asks, build your GivingTuesday campaign around a single story or theme.
- Center your community. Make your supporters, volunteers, and those you serve the heroes of the story (with their permission, of course).
Your story doesn’t have to be perfect. It just has to be real. The more you bring people into your mission, the more likely they’ll want to be part of what happens next.
3. Make a plan to keep the momentum going
GivingTuesday might be just one day, but the relationships you build can last all year.
Once the campaign ends, don’t disappear until next year. This is the perfect moment to show gratitude and keep your new supporters engaged.
Start by saying thank you and mean it. Send a heartfelt message or short video within a few days to let supporters know the difference they made (it doesn’t have to be fancy! In fact, simple and authentic is better!). Then, a couple of weeks later, share a small update about the impact of their gifts. It could be a story, a milestone, or a quote from someone who was helped by their support.
💡 Pro tip: Gratitude is what turns first-time donors into lifelong advocates. People are far more likely to give again when they feel seen and appreciated.
So think of GivingTuesday as the beginning of a conversation (not the end!). Every thank you, update, and story shared after the big day keeps your mission top of mind and helps people see the ongoing impact of their generosity.
Try it this week 🚀
GivingTuesday is coming up fast —start small. Share one warm-up social media post or email to build excitement for December 2, choose one story to highlight on the big day, and draft a short thank-you message you can send afterward. A little early prep now will make your campaign and your impact go further.
Coming soon ✨
So close! My Zero to $100K Toolkit is almost here! It’s my complete system to help you plan and launch a successful fundraising campaign from the ground up. You can click here to be automatically added to the waitlist to get the alert when it goes live.
What’s your plan for GivingTuesday this year?
Are you trying something new, keeping it simple, or still brainstorming ideas? Hit reply and tell me. I love hearing how changemakers like you are planning to make the most of GivingTuesday!
