We’re approaching the end of the year — which is when it feels like everyone and their mother is asking for a donation. So rather than do what everyone else is doing, what can you do to stand out? With your mission in mind, here are five ideas for end-of-year blog posts to attract, inspire, and activate donors.
Share Your Impact
The best way to show potential donors the value of their contribution is to show them the impact it will make! Highlighting a single, tangible outcome demonstrates how far their dollars will go and how your nonprofit is making a difference. Take a snippet from your annual report and share those numbers to show good stewardship of their donations.
(P.S. If you need help with making sure your annual report is more than a list of names and numbers, give us a holler! We’d love to help you highlight what makes you shine!)
Go Behind the Scenes
When you spotlight the work going on behind the scenes, donors quickly realize that they are part of a community committed to a shared cause. It also gives you an opportunity to tell stories that might otherwise get lost in the ether — such as how a program coordinator went above and beyond to serve an individual constituent or how a family moved from crisis to stability thanks to the dedication of your organization. Tell the story of what's behind the "story" and credibly demonstrate your mission and commitment to impact.
Shine a Light
The end of the year is a great time to highlight specific people, programs, or events that make your organization special. Maybe it’s a top five countdown of whatever it is that makes your nonprofit unique. Maybe it’s a spotlight on a beloved community event. Maybe it’s really special supporters or programs! Shine a light on what makes you unique and use this as a way to articulate the reach of your organization beyond the obvious.
Track Your Progress
What better time to show off where you started and where you are than at the end of the year! Whether it’s how much money you’ve raised, how many programs you’ve started, how many locations you’ve opened, or how many people you’ve impacted, now is the time to shine. Pick a few tangible statistics and display them in a way that’s easy to digest to again show what can be accomplished when people buy in. (We can also help with creating impact reports and infographics to add to your post!)
Say Thank You
Last, but never least, don’t forget the thank you! Write a heartfelt thank you letter to your donors. Gush about how much of a difference they’ve made for your organization and your community. Let them know that you could never do it without them. Call out specific donors to encourage others to step up in the same way. And while you’re at it, thank your staff for all of their hard work as well. Donors and partners are much more likely to support organizations that are grateful than those who see their donations as par for the course.
Thinking about how to wrap up your year with a bang? Reach out to Sunny Side Creative for more ideas on how to stand out amongst the crowd!
