Sample Tips & Tricks Emails from Blue Grass Community Foundation’s 2015 Good Giving Guide Challenge

Hello all!

This Friday (SO SOON!), you begin your GoodGiving Guide Challenge journey. A few reminders for the week:

All support questions need to go to or call

+1 (202) 800-1618

+1 (866) 437-1952 (toll-free)

We do not manage the website or are the “experts” on how it works. We can help with basics…but that’s about it. We cannot make fixes to glitches. If you see something not working correctly, or need assistance, please contact them for quick results. They are the EXPERTS. (Don’t worry, we call them too!)

If you haven’t claimed your page or added pictures to snazz it up, you NEED to ASAP. Your page is the vehicle for success. Don’t miss the boat. It is important that you get it up to speed so you don’t miss out on attracting donors! This is a virtual campaign and we want you do utilize all the tools to make a big impact!

Remember, the toolkit is there to help you succeed. Please utilize it. There are lots of things to make it easy and not overwhelming.

1-2 Weeks Before the GoodGiving Guide Challenge

  • Update your Facebook status and twitter feed with a link to the theGoodGiving Guide Challenge landing page BGgives.org.
  • Encourage your staff and volunteers to do one-on-one outreach to their friends and networks. Word-of-mouth is crucial – the Millennial Donors report states that most people donate because they are asked by a friend or family ().
  • Set up (if you have one…) a matching grant on your nonprofit page on Razoo 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.
  • Send donors a link to your nonprofit’s page on the GoodGiving Guide Challenge brand and instruct them to click the blue link on the donation box to schedule it for Nov.13-Dec.31. They will enter their donation information and the gift will be processed during those dates and count as part of the GoodGiving Guide Challenge.
  • Finalize volunteers or volunteer duties for days of events. Prepare all necessary outreach materials.
  • Prepare communication pieces you plan to send during the Challenge. 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 Challenge.

Check out Step 4 in the Nonprofit toolkit. There are literally cut and paste email communications and other helpful items. In addition, feel free to share any challenge posts that BGCF is doing on our social media sites. Just share our stuff to help you quickly get the word out. and

Thank you again,

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Hi folks!

As Emeril says, “WE NEED TO KICK IT UP A NOTCH”

We have been watching social media and KNOW we can make a bigger SPLASH! Will you help us by helping promote YOUR ORGANIZATION?

A few tips and tricks:

SOCIAL MEDIA:

1.Promote your organization’s Facebook page – include a link to your Facebook page on your website’s homepage, newsletters, emails – anything you can think of. Ask your staff, family and friends to like the page and help you promote it.

2.Engage your fans in conversation. Use this opportunity to engage people, ask them why they support your organization and post it on your page. Interview staff and clients and have them talk about your mission, your programs and how you change lives. Upload photos and videos of your organization at work. Let people see you making an impact in our community.

3.Promote the GoodGiving Guide Challenge!

  • Use the “mention” function to connect with other nonprofits and the GoodGiving Guide Challenge. To “mention” the GoodGiving Guide Challenge, type the @ symbol and Facebook will prompt you to type in the name of a page or a friend. If you’ve “liked” the GoodGiving Guide Challenge, it will show up below the update window as a selection.
  • Share the link for the GoodGiving Guide Challenge (ww.BGgives.org) on your page to help familiarize individuals with the site and direct them to it from now until December 31.
  • Explain your goals and what your supporters can do to help you reach them to make a bigger impact.
  • Tell stories that bring your agency’s mission to life.
  • Invite your friends and followers to “like” the GoodGiving Guide Challenge Facebook page.
  • Ask your supporters to ‘share’ your Facebook posts about the GoodGiving Guide Challenge
  • Create a Facebook Event to invite your fans to your offline, GoodGiving Guide Challenge events or simply to participate in the giving.

If you haven’t, send your pals/donors/staff an email:

The GoodGiving Challenge is here! We are on our way to raising $GOAL for Nonprofit Name. Will you help me?

Optional:

  • Nonprofit Name is in ___ place on the leader board – can you help them move up?
  • Thanks to your generosity and enthusiasm, we have already raised $X. We need $X more – can you help us get there?
  • Share your support on Facebook and Twitter by telling everyone about The GoodGiving Guide Challenge.

Help us spread the word and let everyone you know that now is the time to give to Nonprofit Name. Visit the leader board at BGgives.razoo.com and cheer Nonprofit Name on!

Thank you again for helping us make an impact in the Blue Grass!

______

Hello all!

Just two tips today.

1.PLEASE utilize the Ambassador Program. Have you looked at other organizations ambassador pages? Please click on Explore drop down on the top left of the BGgives.org page and click on “Fundraisers”

There you will see all the ambassador fundraisers that are funneling their efforts to the organizations in the Challenge.

Isn’t it awesome? Please utilize this feature! It’s SO easy! Encourage your board to become an ambassodor, feature it in your newsletter and on social media. Simply direct your supporters to the Ambassador toolkit to get started at

2.This is a VIRTUAL campaign. That means it is VITAL that you are using ONLINE/Internet marketing to help grow your campaign. Please post on social media as much as possible. Invite your friends to participate via email. Attached is the donor email templates that can really help boost your campaign.These can be used by staff, board or friends! They can be tweaked to personalize just for you. They are cut and paste! Lastly, I am posting like crazy on Facebook and Twitter. Steal my stuff! Make it your own or simply share it! Just get it out there!

Thank you, for all you do to make this opportunity the best it can be for your organization. As always, while we are always happy to help…please remember for any issues/questions with the website...contact Razoo. 1 (202) 800-1618 +1 (866) 437-1952 (toll-free) or .

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Hello all!

As of 9 am this morning...the Challenge has brought in just under $315,000! That’s great! What’s even better is that our daily totals are very steady. Keep up the great work.

As of this morning, 58 nonprofits have raised $1000 or more. In addition, if you look at our top 20…what makes them stand out?

A few things-

1.A great social media presence. Don’t think your donors or potential donors “just don’t use Facebook or Twitter!” They most definitely do. It is one of the BEST way to attract new donors. But you have to be diligent!

Take GleanKY, for example. Their steady work on incorporating the Challenge into most of their social media posts is really paying off! In addition, they follow up with each and every donor after they donate with a quick thank you that really keeps the donor in the “feel-good” phase and keeps them top-of-mind for additional donations! Check out their FB page.

2.Some folks have put together simple, but awesome (and moving) videos to inspire donors. Check out this great one by Step By Step.

3.Josephine Sculpture Park came up with a great event to promote their Challenge efforts:

For those of you not meeting your goals…have you tried everything you can? Please look at the website (BGgives.org) Check out what others are doing. Remember, your organization is responsible for making the most of this event. We are promoting the event. We have been on various news outlets with more coming. But our efforts only go so far.

Events to have on your radar:

December 8- Anyone can eat at Cane’s Upper Street location and 100% of net proceeds will go to the Co-Challengers Endowment Pool (more prize money! Yay!) THIS IS NOT A CONTEST for nonprofits in the Challenge. Patrons who eat there on Dec. 8 will be entered into a contest for great prizes from Raising Cane’s. See attached flyer to send out!

December 12- Bling For a Cause. 10-4 (it currently says 9-5 on the website but I asked for this to be changed.) Shoppers at Joe Rosenberg Jewelers can name their favorite nonprofit from the Guide and Joe will donate the full amount of their purchase to the nonprofit in an endowment. (See Prizes and Rules on the website for more info)

December 18- Good Foods Coop will donate 25% of their Café sales on that day to the Co-Challengers Endowment Pool (more prizes!) and there WILL be a social media challenge. Be on the lookout for more announcements andinformation as the details are not solidified at this time!

KEEP AN EYE OUT FOR MY EMAILS. YOU NEVER KNOW WHEN A CHALLENGE MIGHT POP UP.

Keep pushing! The GoodGiving Guide Challenge is a vehicle to success and you are the DRIVER!

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Hi all!

As you all know, tomorrow IS #givingtuesday! If you so choose, it would be a great way to promote the CHALLENGE!

Please look at the following information for ideas to help push your campaign even further!

For Ideas:

For LOGOS:

For Toolkits that help you have…well…the TOOLS to spread the word !!

Here’s the deal…just make sure to include BGgives.org into your #givingtuesday marketing!

Keep pushing, ya’ll! We need LOTS of emails and social media to keep the momentum going. Recruit your staff, your friends, your family, your volunteers and even your donors to help spread the word!