Research done by The GivingTuesday Data Commons suggests that people are very motivated to give to many different causes. The key right now, as at any time, is ensure your relationship with supporters is experiential rather than transactional.

We find that people want lots of ways to show support for the causes they care about, and on GivingTuesday, the vast majority of donors also take some other action. Providing multiple touch points, messages and opportunities to show support helps make you relevant and inspiring.

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Here are 25 simple ideas to help organizations engage their communities and inspire kindness for GivingTuesday:

1. Go classic and post an #UNselfie. This is a simple way to share your giving story with your online community this #GivingTuesdayCa. Download the #UNselfie toolkit here.

2. Announce that you’re participating in #GivingTuesdayCa and build anticipation with a countdown.

3. Brand your personal and organization’s social media accounts with #GivingTuesdayCa graphics and be an ambassador for the movement.

4. Use #GivingTuesdayCa as an opportunity to say “Thank you” to all those that have, and continue to, support your organization. Host a thank-a-thon, add to a donor wall or post 24 Hours of Gratitude: post once an hour about things your organization is grateful for.

5. Already running a campaign? Use #GivingTuesdayCa and your favourite “Together We” message to amplify your campaign.
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6. Ask your supporters to share what they’ve been doing to spread generosity in their local communities. Whether or not that has to do with your cause. Let’s overwhelm the world with GOOD.

7. Find a matching donor. Matching works especially well on GivingTuesday! Approach all of your existing donors and ask if they would be willing to have their contribution used to create a matching campaign.

8. Fundraise for your organization. Use #GivingTuesdayCa to launch your year end campaign. Check out Custom Donation Forms on CanadaHelps.

9. Start a series of emails to build anticipation for the big day. One a week to start, then build as the days get closer.

10. Organize a Twitter chat about your mission or “Ask Us Anything” with your team members.

11. Send your supporters a calendar invite. Literally. Attach an .ics calendar invite file to your email. You should provide exact instructions for what you’d like them to do on #GivingTuesdayCa including a link if you want them to donate.

12. Use the hashtag #GivingTuesdayCa – the buzz amplifies your reach by expanding your normal audience and encouraging others to get involved with your organization!

13. Engage youth in your cause. Young people are really motivated to get involved with local causes (check out 50 Ideas for Acts of Kindness). Reach out to a local school or college and offer them some ideas for how they can volunteer or fundraise for your organization.

14. Ask your social media followers to share stories of why they support your organization. Re-share their stories on your social media channels.

15. Ask your best supporters to run fundraisers for your cause.

16. Organize a challenge on Facebook or Instagram. Encourage your partners and friends to spread generosity on social media by getting creative.

17. Add our #GivingTuesdayCa Zoom Background to your Zoom profile and and encourage your supporters to do the same.

18. Collaborate with other organizations in your community. Organize a holiday food drive for your community, or a virtual festival for your community members to learn about all the organizations’ missions.

19. Go live. Share how your organization has been participating and how it has positively impacted your community!

20. Create sidewalk chalk designs. Share messages about world unity, give love to your city/town, or thank your supporters. You can do this any time the week before #GivingTuesdayCa so you have your photos ready! Share your photos on your social channels on GivingTuesday.

21. Get a vendor or small business to sponsor a social media contest to benefit your organization.

22. Show gratitude and shine a light on your employees, volunteers, donors and community by thanking them for their support on your social media channels.

23. Amplify others. Fundraise for another organization, create a Facebook album to share your partners’ work.

24. Share good news stories. Showcase all the good happening in your community. Both from your organization and other stories that inspire you. Check out #GivingTuesdayCa’s Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, TickTok, and LinkedIn channels for examples.

25. Encourage others to share kindness and be generous during this time.