Giving Tuesday usually takes place the Tuesday after Small Business Saturday, but due the pandemic and the need, there will be an added Giving Tuesday this year!

Here are some tips taken from https://now.givingtuesday.org/ on how nonprofits and small businesses can participate:

About Giving Tuesday, May 5, 2020:

● #GivingTuesdayNow is a global day of giving and unity that will take place on May 5, 2020 as an emergency response to the unprecedented need caused by COVID-19.

● #GivingTuesdayNow is an opportunity for people around the world to stand together in unity--to use their individual power of generosity to remain connected and heal.

● People can show their generosity in a variety of ways during #GivingTuesdayNow--whether it’s helping a neighbor, advocating for an issue, sharing a skill, or giving to causes, every act of generosity counts.

● At a time when we are all experiencing the pandemic, generosity is what brings people of all races, faiths, and political views together across the globe. Generosity gives everyone the power to make a positive change in the lives of others and is a fundamental value anyone can act on.

● #GivingTuesdayNow emphasizes opportunities to give back to communities and causes in safe ways that allow for social connection and kindness even while practicing physical distancing.

● We all have gifts to give, and with social media, online giving, delivery, mail, and phones, there are limitless ways to use your generosity to support others.

Dos and Don’ts:

Do:

● Go digital - make sure your web presence is optimized, make use of content you already have, think about a video from your ED.

● Be nimble. Everything is changing moment by moment. We need to be making quick decisions and always have a backup plan.

● Do communicate clearly and authentically.

Don’t:

● Don’t be afraid to fundraise! Now is the time to be vulnerable. People really want to help. It makes them feel empowered.

● Don’t ask people to do things that may endanger themselves or others. Be aware of CDC and WHO guidelines.

How to Participate:

Just like regular GivingTuesday, #GivingTuesdayNow is not exclusively a fundraising day - it’s an opportunity for people around the world to stand together in unity - to use their individual power of generosity to remain connected and heal. While you certainly can use the day to raise critical dollars for your mission, here are 10 Ways to Participate in #GivingTuesdayNow without Fundraising.

● Share good news stories. Both from your organization and other stories that inspire you. Check out GivingTuesday’s social channels for examples. Showcase all the good happening in your community.

● Thank your supporters - host a virtual thank a thon or add to a virtual donor wall

● 24 hours of gratitude - post once an hour about things your organization is grateful for

● Amplify others - fundraise for another organization, create a Facebook album to share your partners’ work

● Go live - share how your organization has been responding to COVID-19 and how it’s impacted your work. You can do this from your couch!

● Ask your supporters to get involved in your organization virtually, what can they do from their couches to move the needle on your cause.

Get Your Social Channels Ready

● Brand your personal and nonprofit’s social media accounts with GivingTuesday graphics and be an ambassador for the movement. Download Facebook cover images and more in the Social Share Toolkit.

● Announce that you’re participating in #GivingTuesdayNow and build anticipation with a countdown to May 5!

● Use the hashtag #GivingTuesdayNow – the buzz amplifies your reach by expanding your normal audience + encouraging new supporters to get involved with your nonprofit! (Please use “camel caps” in your hashtag for accessibility!)

● Create content that shows your mission is something people want to get behind. Educate people about your cause area + what your organization is doing to make our world a better place particularly during the global pandemic. Be honest about the situation your organization is and what your needs are.

Rally Your Supporters Online

● Go classic: encourage your supporters to share their “unselfie!” No printer? No problem. Use our digital unselfie sticker on Instagram! (Just search “Unselfie”)

● Encourage your supporters to run a p2p fundraiser on behalf of your organization.

● Encourage Twitter users to change their display name for the day to show that they’re supporting your organization for #GivingTuesdayNow (see example at right).

● Organize a Twitter chat about your mission or Ask Me Anything with your team members

● Don’t forget about the new Instagram donate stickers! (Here’s how to get your nonprofit set up)

● Ask your social media followers to share stories of why they support your organization. Retweet their replies!

● Organize a challenge (on TikTok or any channel)! Encourage your partners and friends to spread generosity on social media by getting creative.

● Share the map! We’re mapping generosity around the world. Encourage your supporters to share what they’ve been doing in response to COVID-19 and spread generosity in their local communities.

For more information and ideas, go to: https://now.givingtuesday.org/ or contact Red Root Marketing to set up a consulting session to get your business or nonprofit ready for Giving Tuesday!

For local and small businesses up to 40% of annual revenue is earned in November and December. To not capitalize on the marketing power of the season, including the commercially created hashtag holidays, is truly a lost opportunity. However, which should you take advantage of and how?

#BlackFriday started as an in-store sales event, but is now a pervasive, expected seasonal discount spanning most of November. The noise and competition around #BlackFriday is so dramatic that it requires heavy promotion to stand out in the crowd. While full participation in a #BlackFriday event may not be appropriate for all small businesses, the strategy of an appealing loss-leader to drive store traffic can be very effective.

#SmallBusinessSaturday, founded by American Express, is a marketing approach with increasing resonance for consumers and communities. As we experience the explosion of online behemoths, big box multi-nationals, and even suburban malls, community and civically-minded consumers are drawn to patronizing and promoting their local stores and services. The online creative assets available at www.americanexpress.com make it easy to convey a #SmallBusinessSaturday message and remind shoppers to come out in force on November 25th.

#CyberMonday has lost some of its impact with the digitization of #BlackFriday. However, consumers have been trained to watch their email inbox diligently on Monday, November 27th because they know that the very best offers will be shared on that date and via that channel. Email lists should be built, cleaned and nurtured over the course of the year with this one email blast in mind.

For non-profits and fundraisers, #GivingTuesday was created to capitalize on the holiday hashtag momentum. Marketing connected to this hashtag provides a boost to all usual development efforts and enjoys a halo of conscience and community responsibility. The sharing aspect of social media and email are perfect platforms for the #GivingTuesday message. This year, Facebook will waive its 5% commission on all money raised on November 28th, increasing the impact of contributions which is important to donors and non-profits alike.

Taking advantage of the holiday hashtag phenomenon requires advance planning and benefits from teaser campaigns that start the promotions much earlier than the appointed dates. Next year, Red Root Marketing will be happy to help you begin your planning and execution in September for maximum impact.

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