Making the Most of Giving Tuesday: Fundraising Tips for Nonprofits

Can you believe it’s already October? Thanksgiving is just around the corner, which means Giving Tuesday is in hot pursuit—falling this year on Tuesday, December 2nd. Each year, the Tuesday after Thanksgiving marks a shift from the hustle of Black Friday and Cyber Monday shopping to a powerful moment of generosity, inviting people everywhere to pause, reflect, and give back to the causes that matter most.

Giving Tuesday is more than just a trending hashtag—it’s a global day of generosity that could transform your nonprofit’s year-end fundraising results. In 2024, nonprofits raised a record $3.6 billion on Giving Tuesday alone, showing the enormous potential of this movement. For organizations seeking to grow donor engagement and amplify their mission, the right preparation can turn this opportunity into measurable impact.

Many nonprofits use Giving Tuesday to kick off their holiday campaigns—maximizing donors’ final tax-deductible gifts and tapping into the spirit of giving during the holiday season. This isn’t just about raising funds; it’s about telling your story, rallying supporters, and connecting your mission to the season’s values of generosity and community.

At ExemptTogether, we know that successful fundraising isn’t just about asking for donations—it’s about telling your story, connecting with supporters, and making giving easy, enjoyable, and meaningful.  

Focus on Your Story

Your mission is the heart of your appeal. Give donors a reason to feel personally invested by sharing real stories of the people, communities, or causes you serve. Use photos, short videos, and testimonials to make your impact tangible and emotional.  

Set a Specific Goal

Rather than asking for general support, set a concrete fundraising target and clearly explain how contributions will be used. For example: “Help us raise $5,000 to provide holiday meals to 200 families.” Clear goals motivate action and create a sense of urgency.  

Build Anticipation

Start your campaign early with teasers in email newsletters, social media posts, and your website banner. Let donors know what’s coming, why it matters, and how they can help. Use a countdown timer to remind people of the big day.  

Make Giving Simple

Every extra step in the donation process can stall momentum. Ensure your online donation platform is mobile-friendly and user-friendly. Offer multiple payment options and a prominent “donate now” button on your website and social media platforms.  

Engage Your Board and Volunteers

Giving Tuesday is a perfect moment to activate your supporters as ambassadors. Ask board members, volunteers, and staff to share your fundraising links via email or social media. Consider creating toolkit materials that they can copy and paste to make sharing effortless.  

Show Gratitude Publicly

Thanking donors immediately—and publicly—builds goodwill and encourages repeat giving. Utilize social media posts, videos, and targeted emails to highlight contributions. Even short, real-time updates like “We’ve reached 75% of our goal—thank you for your incredible generosity!” can keep momentum strong.  

Follow Up with Impact Reports

After Giving Tuesday, close the loop by showing donors exactly what their contributions accomplished. Share photos, testimonials, or data to demonstrate the results. This helps deepen trust and sets the stage for continued support in the year ahead.  

Why wait? You don’t have to start from scratch. We’ve compiled a series of ready-made post ideas and engagement tips that you can tailor to your own audience. These sample templates and strategies are designed to help your nonprofit shine on social media, maximize engagement, and make every act of giving count. Use them to spark ideas, guide your marketing schedule, or drop them directly into your plan for a seamless, effective Giving Tuesday campaign.

Pre-Giving Tuesday "Save the Date" Post

“Giving Tuesday is almost here! Mark your calendar for December 2 and join us as we work to [insert your specific mission, e.g., ‘expand access to legal support for nonprofits’]. Every act of generosity counts—and everyone has something to give!” #GivingTuesday #SupportNonprofits

Storytelling & Impact Post

“Meet [Name/Program/Family Served]. Your support on Giving Tuesday makes stories like these possible. Together, we’re breaking barriers and building stronger communities.  

Donate to make a difference: [insert donation link]” #Impact #GivingTuesday

Fundraising Goal Post with Progress Updates

“We’ve set a goal: $5,000 to [insert goal, e.g., ‘provide vital compliance support to 10 new nonprofits’].  

Help us reach the finish line! Every dollar gets us closer—share or give now.  

[progress bar image or live update in stories] #GivingTuesday #NonprofitGoals

Call to Action Post

“Ready to give back? Click donate, share this post, or become a Giving Tuesday ambassador for us! Your voice has the power to reach new supporters.  

[donation link]  

Questions? DM us or comment below!” #SupportLegalAccess 

Day-Of “Thank You” and Real-Time Updates

“Thank you for your generosity!  

Because of you, we are [current % of goal or milestone]. Stay tuned for updates throughout the day—we couldn’t do this without your support.” #ThankYou #GivingTuesday #Community 

Post-Giving Tuesday Gratitude Post

“Together, we made a difference!  

Thanks to your kindness, we raised [$amount] to support [specific mission]. Watch for impact updates and stories coming soon—your support changes lives.” #Gratitude #GivingTuesdaySuccess

Engagement & Visual Tips

• Use eye-catching photos of your work or impact.

• Schedule posts in advance for the entire week using a scheduler.

• Keep captions under 280 characters for optimal readability.

• Include a clear donate button or link in every post.

• Engage with every comment—timely replies increase reach.

• Use branded hashtags and consider creating one specific to your campaign, such as #GiveLegalAid2025.  

Giving Tuesday is most effective when your nonprofit’s mission and story truly shine. Preparation, clear communication, and genuine gratitude will position you for success—not only on this special day but throughout your fundraising calendar. At ExemptTogether, we help organizations of all sizes create strategies and compliance-ready campaigns that keep them growing and mission-driven.  

ExemptTogether

802-922-4662

hello@exempttogether.com