How to prepare to make the most of GivingTuesday

You can prepare to make the most out of GivingTuesday by taking a few simple steps, including:

• Setting up your online donation form and confirmation email
• Testing the form before the giving day
• Getting your email list ready
• Making a plan for your after-event communications

GivingTuesday marks an opportunity to boost online donations for your nonprofit. Complete these to-do items before the big day so that you, and your donors, have a positive experience.

4 things to do to make the most of GivingTuesday

1. Set up your form and confirmation email

Create an online payment form that’s quick and easy for donors to use. (Tip: if you’re using Little Green Light, you can enable the GivingTuesday form template in your account.) Also set up a confirmation email so donors are assured their gift was successful. In this confirmation email, include the typical details a donor needs for their records, like the date and amount of their contribution. But you should also convey your organization’s appreciation and include a brief example of the kind of impact the donor’s gift will make. These elements will prevent the confirmation from feeling merely transactional.

2. Test your form

Test your form to be sure things are set up as you intend. If you’re using Little Green Light, you can test your form without actually making a gift. Reserve time in your calendar to test your form at least two weeks before GivingTuesday so you have time to troubleshoot and resolve any issues if you find them. It’s also a good idea to ask a coworker to test the form, as they’ll bring fresh eyes to it. Their experience can confirm for you that your form is accurate and user-friendly.

3. Prepare your email list

Who will you include as recipients of your GivingTuesday email solicitation? Will you send it to anyone for whom you have an email address? Or, will you only email donors who’ve given in the past but haven’t yet made a gift this year? Decide in advance and prepare your email list so it’s ready to go when you need it.

4. Plan when and how you’ll next communicate with your GivingTuesday donors

If you want to maximize the potential of this day, you’ll need to put effort into retaining the donors who support your organization on GivingTuesday. Set a plan in place and prioritize putting it into action. If you need ideas, check out our ebook on how to retain donors after a giving day.

Conclusion

By preparing in advance, you can use GivingTuesday to boost your year-end fundraising efforts with minimal stress on the big day itself. And, you can help ensure that your GivingTuesday donors continue to support your organization in the future.