How to Prepare: North Texas Giving Day is Almost Here

 

Calling all North Texas non-profits! As of this writing, we are less than four weeks from North Texas Giving Day. Scheduled for September 19, 2024, North Texas Giving Day has become an awesome opportunity to take the proverbial stage, talk about the good your nonprofit is doing and invite people to support it financially.

 

And, while the actual giving day blitz is still a few weeks away, people can participate in early giving this September 1-18. With the date being so close, we’re here to help you get your plan ironed out and ready to roll.

 

Let’s Start with Some North Texas Giving Day Facts

First things first: North Texas Giving Day was created by Communities Foundation of Texas in 2009. It’s grown into an 18-hour online giving event designed to empower every person to give back to their community. People can support local businesses they care about through one easy-to-use platform (see it here).

 

Last year 97,132 people donated on North Texas Giving Day. The $63.9 million they gave went to 3,249 local nonprofits. In total over the last 15 years, more than $566 million has been raised for North Texas nonprofits The giving event has grown into the largest community-wide giving event in the nation. (Proving, once again, everything really is bigger in Texas!)

 

North Texas Giving Day proves that everything really is bigger in Texas.

 

Ideas for Promoting North Texas Giving Day for Your Nonprofit

If your organization is planning to participate in North Texas Giving Day, there are a number of ways to promote the day and invite people to not only give, but share your nonprofit with the public. Let’s talk about a few ideas now.

 

Idea 1: Get Your Social Media Plan Together

People can’t know to give if you don’t tell them, so let’s first talk about publicity.

 

Plan to make 1-3 posts per week between now and September 19 to talk about North Texas Giving Day. It’s good to mix up the kinds of posts you do — photos vs. video, subject (what North Texas Giving Day is, how to give, what the donations will be used for, behind-the-scenes prep for September 19, etc.). Luckily, the North Texas Giving Day website has some resources, including content ideas and graphics, for you to start with. You’ll find them right here.

 

Idea 2: Write a few emails to send to supporters.

Now’s the time to plan out your communications, like emails and text messages, to let your entire database know about North Texas Giving Day. You could send an email out on September 1st to let everyone know that early giving has begun. The next week you could send an email highlighting what the funds raised this month will support, and even better if you can include a real-life story of impact. Giving people a tangible story or face to hold on to will show people specific ways their money will make a difference.

 

When you invite people to support you on North Texas Giving Day, include a real-life story of impact. Tell them how their support makes a difference.

 

Lastly, plan a few emails for the week of September 19. For example, you might send one on Monday to remind people that the 19th is the big day, then send another the morning of the 19th to say something along the lines of “Today’s the day! Let’s give!” and then one on the 20th thanking supporters for their help in making the event/day a success.

 

Whatever you do — don’t make all the emails exactly the same. Change up the length, photos and/or videos used. You could also have different people from your organization write the emails, including someone the organization supports.

 

Idea 3: Host an Event on September 19th

What feels better than doing something good for someone else? Doing something good for someone else with a group of people! There’s still time to think outside the box and plan a gathering for people in your nonprofit’s circle. For example: You could hire a food truck for people to stop by at lunch or dinner time. You could hire an ice cream or popsicle cart to station itself outside your office for the afternoon. You could host a live on Instagram or TikTok for an hour in the evening.

 

Gathering your nonprofit’s supporters for North Texas Giving Day will lead to greater giving.

 

Whether in person or online, consider ways to rally your community together and celebrate the great work your nonprofit does. There’s nothing like the power of a community behind a cause!

 

During the event you’ll want to promote giving for North Texas Giving Day. Make sure you have QR codes or easy-to-use links to take people directly to the place to give. You also can use this opportunity to talk about ways to volunteer with the organization and how people can share the work of your nonprofit with others.

 

 

Still looking for more ideas for North Texas Giving Day?

If you’d like more help in planning for big giving events and promoting your nonprofit, reach out to us at The Cause Agency at info@thecauseagency.org or 817-335-0101. Our team is constantly thinking about how to help nonprofits like yours grow, reach more people and continue making an impact. We are also sharing tips for how to prep for North Texas Giving Day on social media all month — come find us on Facebook or Instagram.