A giving day is typically a 24-hour period in which nonprofit organizations try to reach ambitious fundraising goals by creating a sense of urgency with donors. I’ve worked with dozens of organizations to plan, implement, and evaluate the success of giving days like Giving Tuesday and local giving days.
“Jenni helped us with our first major Giving Tuesday campaign. We set a goal of $2,000 for the day. Through her hard work, we were able to reach almost $12,000. I can’t recommend Jenni highly enough. She is a great communicator, thinks outside the box, and is amazing at follow up. Ten stars for sure!”
TO DEVELOP A giving day STRATEGY:
I first work to understand the goals of the organization — Who is the best target audience for this specific campaign and why? What are your dollar amount, donor number, or other goals you’d like to achieve during this campaign?
Next, I analyze data about the organization to understand more about their current and prospective donors — Who typically donates to this nonprofit and why? How much do they typically give? What past strategies have worked best and why?
Then I work collaboratively with the organization to create and implement a giving day strategy which is ambitious yet realistic.
Finally, I work with the organization to develop and implement a follow-up strategy to maximize donor retention following the giving day.
Sample of Giving Tuesday content:
Below, please find a sample of a Giving Tuesday strategy I created and helped implement for an organization which advocates for women working in STEM professions. This campaign consisted of four emails and social media posts announcing the 50th anniversary of a nonprofit organization. The purpose of the campaign was to make a fundraising appeal in honor of the 50th anniversary and in honor of Giving Tuesday. Below, you will find the outlines for the four emails and social media posts.
Email Subject: I sent my proposal to many people. Most just didn't read it.
Preview text: NAME REDACTED provides visibility and support
Body:
NAME REDACTED is turning 50!
This month, we’re sharing stories from some of the inspiring NAME REDACTED members who live out our mission of supporting women in science.
We want to celebrate the impactful milestones we’ve achieved so far, but we also recognize the ongoing need to champion women in science. In honor of our 50th anniversary, please support our continued work of promoting equity for women in STEM.
[Donation buttons]
People often don’t take you seriously when you’re working on your own.
The STEM Entrepreneur Award from NAME REDACTED’s New Jersey chapter gave me visibility. It included an entrepreneur course that was amazing, especially for people like me who don't have an MBA.
Entrepreneurs usually can’t get the type of resources available to people at bigger companies. This is why I appreciate NAME REDACTED so much: It’s not just a subscription service. It’s not just a magazine. It’s a network of experts you can turn to for advice and support.
—NAME REDACTED
[Caption of photo: NAME REDACTED, Founder, CEO, and CTO of NAME REDACTED]
For 50 years, we have elevated women’s voices.
Support NAME REDACTED with a gift of $50 or more to give more women the visibility they’ve earned.
[Donation buttons]
Celebrate 50 years of advocacy. Connect with our community. Champion women in science.
Social media post:
“People often don’t take you seriously when you’re working on your own.
“Entrepreneurs usually can’t get the type of resources available to people at bigger companies. This is why I appreciate NAME REDACTED so much: It’s not just a subscription service. It’s not just a magazine. It’s a network of experts you can turn to for advice and support.”
—NAME REDACTED, Founder, CEO, and CTO of NAME REDACTED
We’re celebrating 50 years of elevating women’s voices. Support NAME REDACTED with a gift of $50 or more to give more women the visibility they’ve earned at: classy.org/NAME REDACTED50th
Email Subject: We Speak Up for Women in Science
Preview text: NAME REDACTED advocates for gender equity in STEM
Body:
The gap between the scientific community and the public on science policy has never been larger.
I was an NAME REDACTED representative at the 2018 Day on the Hill event, and that was meaningful for me personally and for my career.
As a scientist, and especially a woman scientist, I appreciated the opportunity to articulate the need to balance career with family responsibilities to legislators and advocate for additional funding and policy measures. It felt like it was a way to really pay it forward to future scientists.
—NAME REDACTED, PhD
[Caption of photo: NAME REDACTED, PhD, Director of Ethics at the NAME REDACTED]
For 50 years, we have advocated for gender equity in science.
Support NAME REDACTED with a gift of $50 or more to join our collective voice promoting women in science.
[Donation buttons]
Celebrate 50 years of advocacy. Connect with our community. Champion women in science.
Social media post:
“The gap between the scientific community and the public on science policy has never been larger.
“As a scientist, and especially a woman scientist, I appreciate the opportunity NAME REDACTED provides to articulate the need to balance career with family responsibilities to legislators and advocate for additional funding and policy measures.”
—NAME REDACTED, PhD, Director of Ethics at the NAME REDACTED
We’re celebrating 50 years of advocating for gender equity in science. Support NAME REDACTED with a gift of $50 or more to join our collective voice promoting women in science at: classy.org/NAME REDACTED50th
Email Subject: A Safe Space for Women in Science
Preview Text: Connecting With Our Community for 50 Years and Counting
Body:
I had been holding my breath for years. With NAME REDACTED, I could exhale.
NAME REDACTED made me feel like I had a professional family. I felt in that very first chapter meeting that I was in a safe space. I could share worries, and people would support me.
I now have a lot of advocates; I have mentors; I have co-conspirators that will go into the trenches with me. I found my place.
—Dr. NAME REDACTED
[Caption of photo: Dr. NAME REDACTED, Professor in the Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering at the NAME REDACTED]
For 50 years, we have created a safe space for women in science.
Support NAME REDACTED with a gift of $50 or more to help other women find their place in our community.
[Donation buttons]
Celebrate 50 years of advocacy. Connect with our community. Champion women in science.
Social media post:
“I had been holding my breath for years. With NAME REDACTED, I could exhale.
“I felt in that very first chapter meeting that I was in a safe space. I could share worries, and people would support me.”
—Dr. NAME REDACTED, Professor in the Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering at the NAME REDACTED
We’re celebrating 50 years of creating a safe space for women in science. Support NAME REDACTED with a gift of $50 or more to help other women find their place in our community at: classy.org/NAME REDACTED50th
Email: Subject: Easing Career Transitions
Preview text: We’ve built a network and opportunities for women in science
Body:
The biggest challenges I’ve encountered in my career have been transitions.
After living outside the country for four years, it was difficult for me to find a job when I got back. I had fallen out of touch with my network.
The San Diego chapter provided a supportive, professional network. At their bi-annual conference, I learned about a contract editor position. It wasn't my dream job, but it helped me stay up-to-date with published literature and led to other career opportunities.
I’m so thankful for the support I found at NAME REDACTED during that career transition. It also allowed me to support others, have a leadership role, and practice mentorship.
—NAME REDACTED, PhD
[Caption of photo: NAME REDACTED, PhD, Researcher at the NAME REDACTED]
For 50 years, we have supported women in science through every career phase.
Support NAME REDACTED with a gift of $50 or more to provide more opportunities for women in science.
[Donation buttons]
Celebrate 50 years of advocacy. Connect with our community. Champion women in science.
Social media post:
“The biggest challenges I’ve encountered in my career have been transitions.
“NAME REDACTED’s San Diego chapter provided a supportive, professional network. At their bi-annual conference, I learned about a contract editor position. I applied and got it! I’m so thankful for the support I found at NAME REDACTED during that career transition.”
—NAME REDACTED, PhD, Researcher at the NAME REDACTED
We’re celebrating 50 years of supporting women in science through every career phase. Support NAME REDACTED with a gift of $50 or more to provide more opportunities for women in STEM at: classy.org/NAME REDACTED50th
Email Subject: A Safe Space for Women in Science
Preview Text: Connecting With Our Community for 50 Years and Counting
Body:
I had been holding my breath for years. With NAME REDACTED, I could exhale.
NAME REDACTED made me feel like I had a professional family. I felt in that very first chapter meeting that I was in a safe space. I could share worries, and people would support me.
I now have a lot of advocates; I have mentors; I have co-conspirators that will go into the trenches with me. I found my place.
—Dr. NAME REDACTED
[Caption of photo: Dr. NAME REDACTED, Professor in the Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering at the NAME REDACTED]
For 50 years, we have created a safe space for women in science.
Support NAME REDACTED with a gift of $50 or more to help other women find their place in our community.
[Donation buttons]
Celebrate 50 years of advocacy. Connect with our community. Champion women in science.
Social media post:
“I had been holding my breath for years. With NAME REDACTED, I could exhale.
“I felt in that very first chapter meeting that I was in a safe space. I could share worries, and people would support me.”
—Dr. NAME REDACTED, Professor in the Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering at the NAME REDACTED
We’re celebrating 50 years of creating a safe space for women in science. Support NAME REDACTED with a gift of $50 or more to help other women find their place in our community at: classy.org/NAME REDACTED50th
Email Subject: Easing Career Transitions
Preview text: We’ve built a network and opportunities for women in science
Body:
The biggest challenges I’ve encountered in my career have been transitions.
After living outside the country for four years, it was difficult for me to find a job when I got back. I had fallen out of touch with my network.
The San Diego chapter provided a supportive, professional network. At their bi-annual conference, I learned about a contract editor position. It wasn't my dream job, but it helped me stay up-to-date with published literature and led to other career opportunities.
I’m so thankful for the support I found at NAME REDACTED during that career transition. It also allowed me to support others, have a leadership role, and practice mentorship.
—NAME REDACTED, PhD
[Caption of photo: NAME REDACTED, PhD, Researcher at the NAME REDACTED]
For 50 years, we have supported women in science through every career phase.
Support NAME REDACTED with a gift of $50 or more to provide more opportunities for women in science.
[Donation buttons]
Celebrate 50 years of advocacy. Connect with our community. Champion women in science.
Social media post:
“The biggest challenges I’ve encountered in my career have been transitions.
“NAME REDACTED’s San Diego chapter provided a supportive, professional network. At their bi-annual conference, I learned about a contract editor position. I applied and got it! I’m so thankful for the support I found at NAME REDACTED during that career transition.”
—NAME REDACTED, PhD, Researcher at the NAME REDACTED
We’re celebrating 50 years of supporting women in science through every career phase. Support NAME REDACTED with a gift of $50 or more to provide more opportunities for women in STEM at: classy.org/NAME REDACTED50th