Giving Tuesday is a great milestone to boost your fundraising efforts, but it’s important to remember that the same strategies can be applied year-round. While the day itself creates urgency and excitement, you can maintain momentum throughout the year by engaging donors, setting clear goals, and sharing impactful stories regularly. By keeping up the energy and focus beyond just this single day, you can ensure steady donations, build stronger relationships with your supporters, and continue making an impact long after Giving Tuesday is over.

Post a Giving Tuesday Announcement

If you don’t already have a matching gift lined up, now’s the time to ask. Call or email one of your major donors or corporate partners and see if they’d be willing to match donations for Giving Tuesday. It could be as simple as matching the first $5,000 raised, which can double the motivation for other donors.

Example:
Pick one major donor or sponsor and send them a short, personalized request for a matching gift offer. Keep it simple: “Would you consider matching donations up to $5,000 on Giving Tuesday to help us reach our goal?”

You can take it a step further by integrating a "Double Your Donation" tool on your donation form. This way, donors can easily check if their employer offers a matching gift program, doubling their contribution and maximizing your fundraising potential.

Send an Email Teasing Your Goal
Don’t wait until Giving Tuesday to share your goal - start building anticipation by emailing your donor list now. Share what you’re trying to achieve and why it’s so important. For example, “Our goal is to raise $15,000 on Giving Tuesday to fund 3,000 meals for local families.”.

Schedule Reminder Emails for the Day Of
Most donors will need a reminder on Giving Tuesday, so plan at least two emails for the day. The first can go out early in the morning, reminding them that it’s Giving Tuesday and sharing your goal. The second can be a “last chance” reminder a few hours before the day ends to encourage last-minute donations.

Draft and schedule your two reminder emails one for the morning of Giving Tuesday and another for late afternoon. Keep them short and focused on the urgency of hitting your goal.

Set Up a Countdown on Social Media

People love a sense of urgency, so create a countdown leading up to Giving Tuesday. You can post daily updates, letting your audience know how many days are left until the big event. This creates anticipation and keeps Giving Tuesday top of mind.Post a simple countdown graphic or text-based post, like “Only 3 days left until Giving Tuesday! Help us reach our goal of $10,000 to fund new programs for underprivileged youth.”

Conclusion

The clock is ticking, but there’s still time to make a big impact this Giving Tuesday. Announce your campaign, secure a matching gift, and send a teaser email. Ensure your donation page works seamlessly on mobile. Don’t stop there - maintain consistent engagement with your donors throughout the year. Set monthly goals, share regular updates, and keep your supporters connected to the difference they make. These actions will drive results and help make your Giving Tuesday efforts a long-term success.