• Giving Tuesday – 7 weeks away!
    • Make a list – jot down 10-20 people you’d like to reach out to and connect with and include their preferred method of communication.
    • Set aside time – plan ahead and designate a time to reach out when you will be able to answer questions, have conversations, and thank those who choose to give.
    • Start the conversation early – It’s not too early to start talking about Giving Tuesday, so go ahead and reach out and start talking about it. The more you are talking about it, the more people will know that you are seriously committed.
    • 2021 Local News Fund participants – plan personal outreach to last year’s donors. Ask them to serve as campaign ambassadors or make a personal donation appeal on Giving Tuesday.  
  • Map out your Giving Tuesday messages
    • There’s not one best time to send Giving Tuesday emails. Instead, connect with donors a few times before, during, and after Giving Tuesday to make sure your message doesn’t get lost.
    • Create an outline of every message you want to share with your community along with any important details. Include things like the date, time, images, and videos you want to include in your outline. Assign team members to write, update, and schedule each email.
    • Your first email should be short and sweet. It’s just a casual save-the-date to get onto your donors’ calendars and remind them that Giving Tuesday is coming up —save the urgency for later emails.
    • Your next email should officially launch your campaign and let your readers know what’s coming so they don’t miss out. The most important message in this email is the announcement of your fundraising goal—shout it loud and clear. 
  • Day Of Emails – Sample Communication Calendar
    • 8AM – Initial Giving Tuesday Email/Social Media Post
      • Best practice is to start your campaign around 7-8am. State your mission; share a themed story; communicate your goal
    • 11AM– Second Giving Tuesday Email/Social Media Post
      • State your mission; share a second themed story; provide an update on raised funds for Giving Tuesday
    • 3PM– Third Giving Tuesday Email/Social Media Post
      • State your mission; share a third themed story; communicate your goal; provide an update on raised funds for Giving Tuesday
    • 7PM– Fourth Giving Tuesday Email/Social Media Post
      • State your mission; share a themed story; communicate your goal; provide an update on raised funds for Giving Tuesday
  • Sample communication calendar
  • Email Tips
    • Tell your story! Why is this important to you and your work? What stands out to you? What difference will someone’s gift make? What impact will it have on your community?
    • Use donor-centric language – for example, “Because of your support…” or “Your gift will allow us to …”
    • Hyperlink to your Givebutter page several times using colorful buttons, images, or text
    • Keep your paragraphs short and to the point
    • Utilize GivingTuesday logos and branding
    • Create personalized donate buttons
  • Subject Line Tips from Givebutter
    • Keep subject lines to 9 words or fewer
    • Let preview text help tell your story
    • Build on the sense of urgency
    • Giving Tuesday lends itself well to an urgent tone since donors are encouraged to get involved on this one special day. 
      • Time-specific or goal-based language like “Help us reach our goal by midnight!” or “We just need 3 more donations to reach our goal!” can be a great motivator for donors.
      • Ask a question to peak curiosity – Think of what makes you click to open emails from other groups or companies. Maybe an intriguing question or a hint that interesting information lies inside. 
  • Giving Tuesday Email Templates and Examples
  • Resources

Important Links:
Participant Resource Folder
Marketing Assets and Inventory Log