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It’s no secret social media has become a powerful tool for amplifying fundraising efforts and driving donations for organizations. The importance of harnessing social media’s potential cannot be overstated—it offers bigger reach and the ability to connect with a broader audience instantly. Your organization can harness that potential by taking advantage of social media fundraising ideas designed to boost donations and enhance engagement.
From leveraging compelling storytelling to utilizing interactive features, these strategies are tailored to help organizations of all sizes harness the full potential of their social media presence. Whether you’re a seasoned nonprofit looking to refresh your approach or a new cause seeking to make a splash, these ideas will provide actionable insights and inspire your next fundraising campaign.
Learn how you can boost donations with social media:
- What is social media fundraising?
- Why should nonprofits use social media for fundraising?
- 3 social media fundraising ideas
- Nonprofit Social Media Strategy Workbook
What is social media fundraising?
Social media fundraising refers to the practice of leveraging social media platforms to raise funds for various causes, including charities, nonprofit organizations, and personal projects. This method utilizes the vast reach of platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok to engage audiences and encourage donations. By creating compelling content—such as videos, images, and storytelling posts—fundraisers can capture attention and inspire action.
Social media fundraising often involves campaigns that can go viral, amplifying the message far beyond the initial audience. Features like share buttons and donation links make it easy for supporters to contribute and spread the word, creating a network effect. Additionally, influencers and community leaders can play a significant role in promoting fundraising efforts, lending their credibility and reach to the cause.
Overall, social media fundraising not only facilitates monetary contributions but also fosters a sense of community and collective effort, enabling individuals and organizations to achieve their fundraising goals in innovative and engaging ways.
Why should nonprofits use social media for fundraising?
Unlike other outreach methods that can quickly become expensive, social media remains largely free, except for paid advertising. With the average American spending over two hours a day on these platforms, you’re tapping into a space where your potential supporters already spend a significant portion of their time.
Beyond its affordability, social media provides a direct channel for nonprofits to showcase their work, fostering transparency and encouraging community engagement. With over 90% of people in the United States using social media, it’s an ideal platform for expanding your reach. It helps build stronger connections within your community, increasing both awareness and support for your cause.
3 social media fundraising ideas
Here are three ideas to help you fundraise on social media:
1. Video appeals for social media fundraising
Social Media sites like Facebook, YouTube, and X have become places where short-form video content rules. There is a ton of data which shows that people not only view videos more often than any other content type on the internet, but they also retain the information they’ve seen in videos way better! According to an article by Oneday, viewers remember 95% of a message when delivered by video, but only 10% by text. That’s why video appeals in your social media fundraising are so powerful!
Creating a compelling video for your social media fundraising involves a blend of emotional appeal, clear messaging, and a strong call-to-action. You can create videos to share with your audiences for many reasons, but when the goal is to drive donations, there are a few things you want to include in your video.
- What. Identify what you’re raising funds for (e.g., a community project, medical expenses, disaster relief).
- When. If this is for an event fundraiser, tell your audience when the event will take place
- Where. If this event is in person, you will need to tell your audience exactly where they need to sign up and show up! If this is an online event, or you’re just pointing folks toward your donation page, you will need to communicate this clearly.
- How. Make sure you’re very clearly communicating to your audience how they can make an impact by giving a clear call to action. You can use phrases like “To learn more about our organization or make a donation today, visit us online at helpourorg.org”
Here’s an example of a video that does an excellent job of informing their audience of an upcoming fundraising event.
2. Direct message (DM) automation for social media fundraising
Imagine being able to automatically send your donation form directly to your audience via their Instagram and Facebook Direct Messages. No need for your audience to visit your profile, click your “link in bio,” find the correct link, and hope they stumble onto your donation form. Eliminating this long process and providing the least barrier of entry for your donors is paramount! So, how can you make this possible?
- Find an automation software that fits your needs. A software like Manychat provides you with a platform for you to set up custom responses to keywords on your posts and in your direct messages.
- Build out your post containing your resource or donation appeal and connect it to your automation platform.
- Make it clear in your post and in your post’s caption that your audience can receive a direct link to your resource/donation form/event signup by commenting a keyword on your post. Examples:
- “Comment the word “Run” below to get our 5K signup form directly sent to you!”
- “Comment “donate” and we’ll send our donation form to your DMs!”
- “Comment “Puppy” to have our annual puppy calendar contest rules sent straight to your DMs”
Automating resources and links straight to your donor’s DMs makes it easier for them to get involved and make donations, and it has been proven across multiple industries to be more effective than the “link in bio” method. As the landscape of social media has changed over the past few years, your social media fundraising ideas should too!
3. Peer-to-peer campaign challenges for social media fundraising
The term “peer-to-peer fundraising” might make you think of big 5K race events or bake sales, but in fact, peer-to-peer events are also a great idea for your social media fundraising! Consider the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge as an example. That’s a campaign hosted on the internet where donors upload a video, name their friends they want to see complete the challenge, and then make a donation. When their friends see the video and create their own video, the cycle continues.
Some other examples of similar campaigns include Movember, a global movement where men grow mustaches throughout November to raise awareness and funds for prostate cancer, and believe it or not, #GivingTuesday. Here are a few more generic examples for you to consider for how your organization can incorporate peer-to-peer campaigns in your social media fundraising. :
1. Animal shelter example: “Paws for a Cause Challenge”
Description: The “Paws for a Cause Challenge” invites participants to share photos or videos of themselves with their pets, highlighting the special bond between animals and people. To join the challenge, participants donate a small amount to the shelter and tag friends to do the same. The goal is to raise awareness and funds for animal care and adoption programs.
2. Center for children and families example: “Book Bash Fundraiser”
Description: The “Book Bash Fundraiser” encourages supporters to host virtual book clubs or reading sessions. Participants select a book, make a donation to the center, and then invite friends to join a discussion about the book via social media. The center can also provide discussion guides or host special guest speakers to enhance the experience.
3. Veterans organization example: “Salute and Share Challenge”
Description: The “Salute and Share Challenge” invites people to post a photo or video saluting a veteran or sharing a personal story of someone who has served in the military. Participants make a donation to the veterans’ organization to join the challenge and tag friends to do the same.
Further education: free Nonprofit Social Media Strategy Workbook
Need a little more help with your social media efforts? Don’t worry! Check out this free workbook created in partnership with Julia Campbell. The Nonprofit Social Media Strategy Workbook is full of helpful tips to maximize your social media performance. When you download your free copy, you’ll learn the four pillars of social media management:
- Research and Listening
- Content Creation and Curation
- Community Management
- Measurement and Analysis
Begin building strategic and effective social media campaigns today!
Final thoughts
Harnessing the power of these social media fundraising ideas can transform your nonprofit’s fundraising efforts, making them more engaging, cost-effective, and far-reaching. By implementing creative strategies like compelling video appeals, direct message automation, and innovative peer-to-peer challenges, you can significantly boost donations and strengthen connections with your community. Each of these tactics not only helps in raising funds but also fosters a deeper engagement with your supporters.
As you explore these ideas for social media fundraising and adapt them to fit your organization’s mission, remember that the essence of a successful social media campaign lies in its ability to inspire action and build meaningful relationships. Embrace these tools to amplify your impact, and watch your community rally around your cause like never before.
Additional resources
If you need inspiration or information on best practices for your social media, or to learn how to use social media for your nonprofit, consider the below resources.
- The Ultimate Guide to Social Media for Nonprofits. Check out this guide for more information on social media for nonprofits!
- Beyond Likes and Shares: How Nonprofits Can Foster Engagement on Social Media. Learn how you can foster more engagement on social media with a few simple questions.
- Nonprofit Social Media Strategy: 7 Steps to Connect with Your Donors. Use these 7 steps to connect with your donors online!
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