How To Engage Donors On National Nonprofit Day?

National Nonprofit Day is a special time to celebrate the amazing work nonprofits do and to connect with donors who want to support a good cause. But how can you make sure your nonprofit really engages donors on this day? Don't worry, our blog is here to help. 

We'll share easy, effective ways to grab attention, stir up excitement, and encourage people to give. Make National Nonprofit Day a big win for your organization with our handy tips!

What Is National Nonprofit Day

National Nonprofit Day is observed annually on August 17. This day was established to honor the key role that nonprofit organizations play in our communities and around the world. 

It also recalls the Tariff Act of 1894, which was signed into law on August 17 and specifically exempted nonprofits from federal income taxes in recognition of their important contributions to society​.

History and Purpose

The origins of National Nonprofit Day trace back to 2017 when Sherita J. Herring, a notable author and business strategist, introduced this day. 

Her goal was to highlight the significant impact that nonprofit organizations have on communities and to encourage people to get involved, whether through donations, volunteering, or spreading awareness. 

Importance in the Nonprofit Sector and Donor Engagement

National Nonprofit Day serves as a reminder of the important role nonprofits play not only in community development but also in the economy. Nonprofits provide essential services like education, medical care, and legal aid, and they employ millions of people across the United States. 

This day is an excellent opportunity for donor engagement, as it highlights the ongoing needs of nonprofits and the impact of public support. People are encouraged to contribute through various means, such as participating in special events, making donations, or volunteering their time.

While celebrating National Nonprofit Day, individuals and organizations can help increase the voices of nonprofits and contribute to their missions.

Planning Your Donor Engagement Strategy

Creating a strong donor engagement strategy for National Nonprofit Day can take your fundraising to the next level. Here’s how you can approach it.

Analyze Past Fundraising Efforts

Start by reviewing your previous fundraising activities to understand what worked and what didn't. 

Look at patterns in donor behavior, such as when and how much they donated, and gather feedback on what donors appreciated or felt could be improved. 

Set Clear, Achievable Goals

Setting clear goals for your donor engagement strategy is important. These goals should be specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART). 

For example, you might set a goal to increase donor retention by 10% over the next year or to increase the number of recurring donors by 15%. Clear goals will help guide your engagement activities and provide a benchmark for measuring success​.

Arrange Your Donors

Different donors have different interests and giving capacities, so arranging your donors in groups can help you alter your communications and engagement strategies. 

Use data from your donor database to categorize donors by factors such as donation size, frequency, interests, and past engagement. Make sure to personalize your outreach and make your communications relevant and effective​.

Develop Personalized Engagement Plans

Develop personalized engagement plans for different donor groups based on your analysis. You can include special events for major donors, targeted email campaigns for recurring donors, or social media engagement for younger donors. 

Personalizing your approach can increase donor satisfaction and loyalty, ultimately leading to more successful fundraising​.

Use Multiple Communication Channels

Don't rely on just one method of communication. Use a mix of emails, social media, direct mail, and personal phone calls to reach out to donors. Each platform has its strengths and can be used in different ways to engage different types of donors. 

For example, social media can be great for creating community and engagement through regular updates and interactive posts, while personalized emails or calls can be more effective for major donor stewardship​.

Strategies for Donor Engagement On National Nonprofit Day

The following strategies celebrate the contributions of your supporters on National Nonprofit Day and also increase their engagement with your organization.

1. Launch a Special Campaign

National Nonprofit Day is a great time to start a special campaign to raise money. You can create an online fundraiser or a crowdfunding event. It's good to show donors exactly what their money will do. 

For example, you can tell them how many books $50 will buy for a school or how much food $100 can provide for a shelter. Make it easier for donors to see how they're helping and makes them more likely to give money.

2. Use Social Media Wisely

Using social media can really help get more people to see your campaign. On National Nonprofit Day, use the hashtag #NationalNonprofitDay to help your posts get noticed by more people. 

Make sure your social media posts are fun and interesting to draw people in. You can use pictures, videos, and stories about the people you help to make your posts stand out.

3. Appreciate Your Donors

Use National Nonprofit Day as an opportunity to thank your donors. You could send them a personalized thank you note, invite them to special events just for donors, or even thank them publicly on your website or at an event. 

When donors feel appreciated, they are more likely to keep supporting your nonprofit. 

4. Volunteer Engagement and Virtual Opportunities

Try to get more people involved by offering chances to volunteer in person or online. For example, people could help out by making phone calls from their homes or writing thank you letters. 

Getting volunteers involved can also lead them to donate money to your cause once they see all the good work their time helps achieve.

5. Recurring Donations and Membership Programs

Encouraging people to give a little bit of money regularly can make a big difference. You can set up a program where people give a set amount of money every month. This helps your nonprofit have a steady income, and it lets donors feel like they're continuously supporting a good cause. 

Offering various options for how frequently donations can be made (monthly, quarterly, annually) can also attract different types of donors.

Hosting a National Nonprofit Day Event

Celebrating National Nonprofit Day is a fantastic way to shine a light on the work your organization does and engage with your supporters. There are many ways to make the day memorable and effective for fundraising.

In-Person Event Ideas

• Host a special event to thank your donors. It could be a dinner, a picnic in a local park, or a simple meet-and-greet at your nonprofit’s location. Use this opportunity to show your donors how their contributions have made a difference.
• Organize an open house or a tour of your facilities to show firsthand the work your nonprofit does. You could also set up presentations or panels where beneficiaries and staff share stories about the impact of your organization.
• Plan a themed fundraising event like a walk-a-thon, bake sale, or charity auction. Make it fun and engaging with games, prizes, and live entertainment to encourage donations.

Virtual Event Ideas

• Host a virtual gala where attendees can join from their homes. Include speeches, digital tours of your projects, and performances. Guests can participate in live auctions or pledge donations online.
• Create a series of webinars leading up to National Nonprofit Day, featuring talks and panels that highlight different aspects of your work. This is a great way to educate and engage your audience.
• Launch a special fundraising campaign on National Nonprofit Day. Use social media and email marketing to spread the word and direct people to your donation page.

How BetterWorld Can Help with Virtual Events?

BetterWorld is the perfect partner for your virtual National Nonprofit Day event. Our platform is designed to make virtual events easy to manage and enjoyable for participants.

Real-Time, Perfectly Synced Experience

Whether your supporters are local or global, everyone can join in real-time without any delays or technical issues. It makes virtual events feel more connected and engaging.

Always Free

We believe in supporting nonprofits, so BetterWorld offers its services at no cost. You can allocate more resources to your mission instead of event technology.

Simple and Easy-to-Use

You don't need to be tech-savvy to use BetterWorld. Our platform is simple to use, making it easy for you and your guests to navigate. Start your event quickly with our user-friendly tools.

Using BetterWorld for your virtual events means less stress and more success in your fundraising efforts. 

Make the Most of National Nonprofit Day

National Nonprofit Day is a great time to show off the good work your organization does and to get more people interested in supporting your cause. Planning ahead is crucial. You don't want to rush at the last minute. Start early to make sure everything is ready for this big day.

This day is not just about celebrating your achievements but it's also a prime time to reach new supporters and remind current donors why their help is so valuable. 

So, let's make National Nonprofit Day a day to remember. With good planning and teamwork, it can be a launching pad that takes your fundraising to new heights!