1 Week out Checklist

1 Week Out Checklist

Planning

o Assign day-of staff roles

o Review Rules, FAQs and Special Prizes (Call or email Gabby with any questions at (219) 879-0327 or )

o Confirm that you have completed all items on all previous checklists

o I will be sending out a DAY-OF checklist/help packet on 4/28

Communications/Media Outreach

o If you are looking for creative ideas for fundraisers, please send view this post, “8 Crazy Ways to Fundraise for Your Cause.”http://stories.givelocalamerica.org/8-craziest-ways-support-cause/

o Promote five to seven times a week on social media – use enclosed social media examples.

o Use the attached file “social media avatar” as your social media default photo.

Donor Outreach

o Create social sharing content for donors to use with their networks after contributing

Community Partner Outreach

o Contact community partners to encourage them to promote Giving Day

Sample Communication Plan for Give Local America

2 Weeks Out

· Send out creative ads (videos, collateral) to create excitement about the event

· Post stories of your impact on social media and encourage people to support you on the day of the event (be sure to include specifics on where and when to participate)

· If there are specific prizes you would like to achieve, develop a strategy and communicate it to donors, volunteers and staff

· Set a goal of one update on a social media channel daily – even if it’s just sharing other posts

· Consider sending a calendar invite for the Giving Day to all of your donors as a reminder to support you that day

· Encourage donors, volunteers and staff to promote your fund through their social media pages

1 Week Out

· Encourage staff and board to do outreach to their family, friends and donors they are closest to for a personal ask

· Continue posting stories and event information on website and social media outlets

· Post link to your donation page on the Giving Site everywhere

Email Signature!

Add this signature to the bottom of your emails!

Get Ready for May 6th, 2014!

Give Local America 2014 is a national day of community giving. Community Foundations from all over the nation will take part in this nationwide campaign to raise money for funds/organizations in their areas. Please join us in supporting your favorite funds/causes in La Porte County and help them compete to win $10,000 in grant prizes! Learn more at www.LPCountyGiveDay.org

Here are three E-BLASTS that you may localize. They also could be placed on a Facebook page or on your web site.

(You could localize this one with a photo of agency clients being served.)

(AGENCY NAME) is pleased to have helped (ADD NUMBER) of your friends, family members and co-workers in 2013 by (ADD SPECIFIC AGENCY ACTIVITIES).

Just a $25 donation today will support (INSERT #s / ACTIVITIES).

Please go to www.LPCountyGiveDay.org between Midnight and 11:59 p.m. on May 6 to make a donation to (AGENCY’S) endowment fund at Unity Foundation of La Porte County during Give Local La Porte County.

Thank you for your caring support and generosity!

La Porte County has the chance to show it’s generosity in a big way. Beginning at Midnight on May 6, numerous nonprofit and donor funds will compete to raise money in friendly competition through Give Local La Porte County. The top winners will share $10,000 in grant prizes – helping support their great work now and forever!

Please log on to www.LPCountyGiveDay.org to make your online donation and support (INSERT YOUR ORGANIZATION.)

Thank you for your caring support and generosity!

So you’ve been intending to get around to including your favorite nonprofit or cause in your will. The good news is that taking action now can bring even more “bang for your buck.”

During Give Local La Porte County on May 6th, planned giving pledges - in wills, through retirement fund designations, etc. – will be counted in the competition to earn $10,000 in grant prizes. Through your planned gift, (INSERT YOUR ORGANIZATION) can earn even more $$$ to support our good work in the community! Give us a call or email now, or log on to www.LPCountyGiveDay.org for details.

Here are multiple social media posts that you may localize. Add photos or video clips to make your content shareable!

A WEEK BEFORE THE EVENT

FB: HELP your favorite Unity Foundation fund during Give Local La Porte County, May 6th! The top 3 funds that raise the most money during the 24 hour event will split $4,500! Learn more at www.LPCountyGiveDay.org

Twitter: Save the date – 5/6/14! Help us (cause/mission of your organization)! Every dollar counts at www.LPCountyGiveDay.org #GiveLocalAmerica

THE DAY OF THE EVENT (May 6 at midnight)

FB: The more people who give at least $10 through Give Local La Porte County at www.LPCountyGiveDay.org, the greater your fund’s chances of winning a portion of $10,000 in grant prizes! GIVE now or through 11:59 p.m. tomorrow!

Twitter: Give Local La Porte County starts TODAY. Your gift of $10+ thru www.LPCountyGiveDay.org helps our chances of winning a portion of $10K!

Other Sample Facebook Posts

We’re excited that we will be part of Give Local La Porte County on May 6th! Learn more at www.LPCountyGiveDay.org

(Name of your organization) is excited about participating in Give Local La Porte County, a 24 hour online giving event! We wish all nonprofits across our region much success on Tuesday, May 6th!

(Name of your organization) is proud to participate in Give Local La Porte County. Every dollar donated to (name of your organization) gets us one step closer to (mission, cause) and bettering the community.

Help us make history! Mark your calendars for May 6th 2014 – we’re participating in Give Local La Porte County, a 24 hour online giving event for charities, and we’d love your support! www.LPCountyGiveDay.org

Please share – help us unite La Porte County and our nonprofits for a powerful day of action on May 6th, 2014!

Give Local La Porte County is just X days away! Help us by sharing this status and pledging your support for (your organization’s name) on May 6th! www.LPCountyGiveDay.org

Other Sample Twitter Posts

On 5/6/14, donate to the nonprofits that mean the most to you. Visit www.LPCountyGiveDay.org and give where you live! #GiveLocalAmerica

A little goes a long way! Help (your organization’s twitter handle) on 5/6 for Give Local La Porte County! Go to www.LPCountyGiveDay.org #GiveLocalAmerica

Join us in supporting La Porte County nonprofits by giving local on May 6th 2014 www.LPCountyGiveDay.org #GiveLocalAmerica

SOCIAL MEDIA TIPS

What is social media?

Social media is a form of electronic communication through which users create online communities to share information, ideas, personal messages, photos and videos.

How do I get started?

As you begin to promote your organization’s participation in Give Local La Porte County, please take advantage of the following three strategy suggestions:

1. Create a Facebook/Twitter account.

If you do not already have an account, consider starting one today. In less than 5 minutes, you can begin to accumulate fans and followers. All you need is an email address, username and password. To further enhance your pages, you can add a logo or picture and a brief profile of your organization.

Follow directions to create a Page (for organizations, businesses).

Once this is completed, search for and “follow” other local nonprofits,

news media or other people/organizations that would be interested in your work.

2. Engage your fans and followers.

Build your fan base…Invite your friends and others to “like” your organization’s Facebook page, especially if you have a personal account. Similarly, let people know that you are now on Twitter to increase the number of people and organizations who “follow” you.

Post updates and start dialogue…Keep your fans and followers engaged by adding new posts and pictures on a regular basis. The beauty of social media is that information is meant to be concise. (Facebook limit is 125 words per post; Twitter limit is 140 characters, including spaces.) Tag friends and organizations when you mention them by including @ before their name. This allows them to automatically see your “status updates” on Facebook and “tweets” on Twitter when they log on to their own pages.

Don’t know what to write? See the next page for ideas.

Update often. Build the buzz. Encourage your supporters to re-post and re-tweet.

3. Become a fan and follower of Give Local America.

Give Local America will use social media to provide marketing tips and news leading up to the event and throughout the 24-hour giving period.

LIKE Give Local America at https://www.facebook.com/GiveLocalAmerica

FOLLOW Give Local America at https://twitter.com/GiveLocal2014

In weeks leading up to the event, Unity Foundation will be featuring each of your funds on our social media and website. We will also provide leaderboard updates, announce bonus prize opportunities and name winners of all special prizes during the event.

VISIT Unity Foundation’s website at www.uflc.net

LIKE Unity Foundation at https://www.facebook.com/UnityFoundationLPC

FOLLOW Unity Foundation at https://twitter.com/UnityFndtn

WHY social media is an effective communications tool…

· It’s Free & Easy!

· Allows you to build an online community

· Encourages participation from your followers

· Updates your supporters in real-time.

· Posts about upcoming events and how to get involved

· Learns what other local organizations are doing and find out how you can collaborate.

· Allows you to share links of other pages such as your blog or website

· Invites your friends to become followers.

HOW to use social media tools…

Post about new hires, upcoming events, classes, programs and accomplishments
“Like” your favorite nonprofits to stay informed and connected
Use the @ symbol before a nonprofit’s name when mentioning them in your posts (applies to Facebook and Twitter)
Post videos and photos to engage others
Ask intriguing questions about your field of work or about issues affecting the local nonprofit sector. Start a dialogue or poll your supporters.

Top 10 Must Dos for Social Media

1. Do Share, Share, Share

Beginning right this second until midnight on May 6th, you should be sharing information about Give Local America - La Porte County with your followers and fans! Social media is about being “social” so share why Give Local America - La Porte County is important to your fund and to our community.

2. Do follow the best practices for Facebook and Twitter

On Facebook, post at minimum once a day, at maximum twice a day, at varying times. On Twitter post at minimum twice a day, at maximum six times a day, at varying times. For both Facebook and Twitter make sure to post seven days a week. To stay relevant you need to stay in the minds of your followers and fans, even on the weekends. (There is one exception to the rule, which you can find at “must do” number nine.)

3. Do post photos, videos and stories

Compelling images get the most attention on both Facebook and Twitter. When posting to either channel, use visuals that will create an emotion in your followers and fans. When followers and fans feel emotionally tied to a cause it will encourage them to act and join the movement on May 6th.

4. Do reach out to your current supporters

While you may not already have a fabulous, robust social media following you can obtain one. Email your current donors, supporters, volunteers, family, friends and any other constituents and ask them to “like” you on Facebook and “follow” you on Twitter. It is a simple ask, you’re not asking for money or for a serious commitment, just a like and follow.

5. Do ask for “shares” and “retweets”

Ask your current social media followers to help you help share the Give Local America - La Porte County message. It is as simple as tweeting “Please TW to help us help our community on May 6th for #GiveLocalAmerica”. On Facebook you can add the message “Please share this post to help us help our community on May 6th for Give Local America - La Porte County.” Make sure to add the website at the end of every post too! LPCountyGiveDay.org

6. Do create an editorial calendar

Everyone leads a busy life, so take some of the stress away by prescheduling your Facebook and Twitter posts. With programs like Hootsuite, you can schedule posts weeks or months in advance, for free! This way if you’re unable to get to your pages one day, you will rest easily knowing you have scheduled a post for that day. With that said, make sure to check on your social media pages to respond to comments at least every other day - but once a day would be best.

7. Do use the #GiveLocalAmerica hash tag

To become a “trending topic” on Twitter, a mass amount of individuals must use that same hash tag. Leading up to and especially on May 6th use the hash tag #GiveLocalAmerica.

On May 6th ask your Twitter followers to use #GiveLocalAmerica in their tweets. Also ask your

current donors, supporters, employees, friends and family to tweet using that hash tag,

as well. We want # GiveLocalAmerica to trend so we can reach even more individuals!

8. Do link to your charity page

Take the guess work away from your followers and fans. Show them exactly how to get involved and help their community by linking directly to your fund’s profile page in all of your communications. It will help individuals see how easy it is to donate and make a difference in the community. Encourage your donors, supporters, employees, friends and family to share your link because the more people who see it, the better!

9. Do communicate with your followers all day on May 6th

The one exception to the rule for posting to Facebook and Twitter is a live event. On

May 6th, send out an explanation to your fans and followers in the morning, afternoon and evening on your Facebook and Twitter pages, stating you will be posting all day for Give Local America – La Porte County. Post updates on how much you have raised, take photos of events you’re hosting or attending, post thank you’s and the amount of hours they have left to participate. This is your last day to really give it your all and make Give Local America - La Porte County a historic day for our community!