How to plan a powerful Giving Tuesday fundraiser
If you want to contribute towards a better future, then Giving Tuesday is the perfect global movement to rally behind. While you might not be as familiar with Giving Tuesday, this annual event is an important date in the diary for Canadians who want to make a difference and fundraise for a good cause.
This ultimate guide will tell you everything you need to know about Giving Tuesday 2024, including how to plan a successful fundraising campaign and why GoFundMe is the perfect platform to raise lots of funds and spread kindness.
What is Giving Tuesday?
Giving Tuesday is a movement around the world that inspires generosity. Started by the 92nd Street Y and the United Nations Foundation in 2012, it’s a day of widespread giving designed to inspire millions of people to give, collaborate, and spread happiness.
Whether it’s helping a neigbour or stranger, a donation, or the power of your voice in the local community, every act of generosity helps to enrich the lives of Canadians and countless others globally.
Since its introduction in Canada, we’ve seen a lot of crowdfunding done on GoFundMe in connection with Giving Tuesday.
When is Giving Tuesday?
Giving Tuesday, often referred to as #GivingTuesday online, falls on a slightly different date each year. In 2024, Giving Tuesday will take place on Tuesday 3rd December.
Anyone and everyone can participate in Giving Tuesday, from individuals and families to businesses and nonprofits. It’s the perfect movement for those who want the freedom and flexibility to give to a worthy cause in whichever way they see fit.
3 steps for planning your Giving Tuesday campaign
It’s your responsibility to promote your Giving Tuesday 2024 campaign and collect donations, which is why we’re on hand to support you and ensure it’s a resounding success.
To get your Giving Tuesday campaign off to a flyer and make a difference to Canadians in need, follow these three simple steps.
1. Determine your approach for your Giving Tuesday campaign
For Giving Tuesday, people often raise funds for something they plan to do themselves (like delivering meals to people in need) or to give to an organisation already doing that kind of work (for example, Food Banks Canada). Alternatively, you might decide to promote your fundraiser for yourself or a loved one in conjunction with Giving Tuesday.
Running a fundraiser for an action you plan to take
In this case, you’re raising money to fund an action you plan on doing, such as delivering meals or organising a fun run.
- Be very clear and transparent about exactly how the funds you raise will be used, so people understand what their donation is going toward.
- Inspire trust in potential donors by being vulnerable through telling a personal story that connects you to your cause or by matching donations.
Raising funds to donate to a well-known organisation
This involves raising money for a nonprofit organisation, such as the Canadian Cancer Society or UNICEF.
- Make the focus of your donation page shift away from legitimising your effort and toward revealing your personal investment in the cause.
- Why is this particular need important to you? Make a clear and compelling case to inspire donations.
- Try to tailor your fundraising ideas to the cause you’re donating to. For example, if you’re raising funds for an animal shelter consider hosting a dog wash.
Raising money for yourself or a loved one
This approach involves raising funds for yourself, a family member, or even a friend.
- Think about how you might tie your fundraiser to an online or in-person event for Giving Tuesday.
- Start a fundraiser with GoFundMe, so potential donors know you’re using a reputable, trustworthy platform that clearly presents your personal story. You can browse active fundraisers for inspiration.
2. Follow best practices for your Giving Tuesday fundraiser
If you’ve never run a crowdfunding fundraiser before, here are some guidelines to think about while you plan a Giving Tuesday campaign in Canada.
Get creative
Don’t forget that Giving Tuesday is a movement, not an organisation. Therefore, you have complete creative freedom with your campaign. Think about how you want this campaign to differ from other fundraisers and what the message is you want to be sending out on this globally recognised day of giving?
Try to be as innovative as possible to stand out ahead of other campaigns, so you can maximise the amount of donations your worthy cause receives.
Assemble your team
We recommend teaming up with other people—friends, family, or anyone you know who shares a passion for your cause. Fundraising is more fun when you aren’t overburdened and can divide tasks among your team, like posting updates and writing thank-yous.
Also, when it comes time to share your fundraiser, you’ll have far more reach with your combined social networks. Read our guide on how to build a fundraising team for more pointers.
Create a fundraising page
Once you’ve planned your fundraiser and assembled your squad, the next step is to source a reputable fundraising platform to help share your story and receive donations. Look no further than GoFundMe, Canada’s leading crowdfunding platform.
Giving Tuesday participants have been using our platform for over a decade, so you can rely on us to ensure your 2024 campaign is a success.
Tell your story with photos and videos
Your fundraising page needs to be as engaging and informative as possible. One way of achieving this is using images and videos, which are a great way to honestly tell your story while adding legitimacy and interest. Check out our guide on how to tell your fundraiser story effectively.
Keep donors posted with updates
As with any fundraiser, it’s important to post frequent fundraiser updates to make donors part of the story. Show what their donations mean to you and to the beneficiaries, and you’ll keep people connected to your fundraiser. You’re also more likely to inspire repeat donations and shares—including shares related to #GivingTuesday.
Express your thanks
Last but definitely not least, don’t forget to say thank you to donors. Remember, Giving Tuesday happens annually, so if people feel good about the contribution they made this year, chances are lots of them will be ready to donate again.
3. Put these Giving Tuesday fundraising ideas into action
If you want to make an even bigger splash with your Giving Tuesday campaign, consider these proven methods for raising funds.
Partner with a local business
Get businesses to promise matching donations, and/or sponsor your fundraising efforts. The more naturally connected a small business is to your cause, the more receptive it will be. Getting a local restaurant, coffee shop, or art gallery to host or provide a space for a fundraising event is often a win-win.
Spark interest with a challenge
If there’s a cause you care about, issue a challenge to like-minded people to start a similar fundraiser in their area. For example, you could encourage people to complete a route around High Park in Toronto in a certain time frame and get a hashtag for the movement trending.
Raise funds at work
Start a fundraising challenge at your work. Place empty jars around your workplace and encourage colleagues to put spare change in them for a number of weeks.
Use your social network
Start posting compelling messages on social media and support them with other social media fundraising tools. This can be especially effective if you’ve teamed up with others and can tap into your combined social media networks to spread the word about your fundraiser on platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, WhatsApp, and Nextdoor.
Plan an event
The holiday season is a festive time. As Giving Tuesday is always towards the end of the year, think about pairing your online fundraiser with a real-world event. It doesn’t have to be fancy or expensive. How about a meetup at an ice skating rink or a potluck dinner?
With a tablet or smartphone in hand, it’s easy to accept on-site donations (perhaps as the price of admission). Just make sure that people know the event is a fundraiser when you invite them.
Spread awareness
Boost the exposure of your Giving Tuesday campaign with these viral fundraising ideas and tips to raise awareness for a cause.
Boost your Giving Tuesday 2024 donations by fundraising
Whatever ideas you use to make your Giving Tuesday campaign successful, we’re here to support you every step of the way.
Giving Tuesday is only once a year and falls at a similar time, so you have plenty of opportunity to get organised and set the wheels in motion. Plan a Giving Tuesday 2024 campaign, get friends onboard, and turn compassion into action with the help of GoFundMe.
We’re here to guide you through the process of improving the lives of vulnerable people living in Canada and around the rest of the world.