5 Tips for Nonprofit Fundraising on Social Media for the First Time

When it comes to fundraising in today’s society, nobody can deny the all-encompassing power of the internet. Organizations that have adopted and implemented online fundraising campaigns are reaping the rewards of the immense reach and communication capabilities that only social media can tout. 

If your non-profit has made the decision to begin using social media for fundraising, the prospect may seem a little daunting, although exciting at the same time. To help you, we’ve created this guide filled with tips on how to make the most of your efforts and harness all the opportunity that social media fundraising can provide. 

1. Establish a presence 

If you haven’t ever used social media for communicating with and engaging your members or audience, start right away. Create a Facebook page, a LinkedIn, Twitter and Instagram account and start posting information and relevant content to establish your social media presence. 

Set up a schedule for posts; most organizations do them on a weekly or bi-weekly basis, although there are some that post daily. Figure out what works best for your group and be consistent. 

If you already have these pages set up, you’re a step ahead! And this will enable you to easily transition to fundraising activities. 
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2. Tell your story

The most successful social media fundraising campaigns are ones where people feel connected to the cause or the group. Make sure that your pages are being used creatively and that you are presenting who you are and what you do in the most vivid and engaging ways. 

Use photos as much as possible, use pictures of your people, events and any activities to capture your audience and get them interested in what you are fundraising for. If you have them, videos are also a powerful way to present your message. 

And if you can, show who you’re helping or the results of successful fundraising activities in the past. Let supporters know exactly where their donations will be used—this is key to encouraging people who may be on the fence. 
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3. Give them something to talk about

We have all witnessed what happens when something goes viral. It’s amazing how quickly content can travel around the world via social media. For your purposes, having content that is intriguing, moving or impactful will increase the chances of your members sharing it with their connections. 

So keep this in mind when creating your content because even the most committed supporters won’t share your posts unless they are touched by it and feel compelled to spread the word. Remember, the more people who know about your cause, the more funds you will raise!
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4. Be responsive

Getting folks interested in your campaign is only one-half of the effort, it’s equally as important to be responsive to your audience. When you post, encourage people to ask questions, leave comments and ideas and be sure you respond right away to their suggestions. Give a shout out to awesome volunteers or members who have given their support in extraordinary ways. 
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5. Implement an online management tool 

To make your fundraising campaign effortless, use our online member management software. With it, you’ll have an arsenal of powerful tools to create, run, manage and track your campaign and even go mobile with your own custom app. 

Your memberplanet management account will enable you to share news with everyone in your group at the same time via text message or email. You can even create customized email invites branded with your organization’s logo and messaging. And you can direct them to your social media pages to get more news about the fundraising campaign. 

When they are ready to make a donation (whether a one-time pledge or recurring support), they can do it on your customized memberplanet site. You’ll also be able to keep track of who’s donated and share your fundraising campaign’s progress with everyone.

​Today’s smartest and most effective fundraising campaigns take place online. Once you’ve decided to begin using social media to engage, inspire and gain support from your members (and others), be sure to incorporate the tips we’ve given you here and get started with memberplanet to manage the entire campaign—there’s no better way to rally support for your cause!