How Non-Profits Can Boost Donations for Giving Tuesday

Between giving thanks on Thanksgiving and getting ready to give gifts for Christmas and Hanukkah, “giving” is on everyone’s mind for the holiday season. So, if you run a non-profit or your company wants to give back, there’s no better time to fundraise – especially with Giving Tuesday just around the corner.

No matter how you’re looking to fundraise, custom merch, products, and apparel can help boost donations. Lucky for you, we’ve got a few tips and tricks to keep in mind when you’re thinking up your Giving Tuesday campaign.

When Is Giving Tuesday?

Giving Tuesday is on December 3^rd this year. Since the give-back day was created in 2012, it has always been on the Tuesday after Thanksgiving – directly following Black Friday, Small Business Saturday, and Cyber Monday. The idea behind Giving Tuesday is to keep charity and donations in everyone’s mind as we head into the holiday shopping season, especially after the burst of sales that is typically seen around Black Friday.

How Does Giving Tuesday Work?

Rather than a non-profit or small business donating to a cause, Giving Tuesday lets you empower your clients to donate. The give-back day is an excellent opportunity to engage with your clients for a good cause, while demonstrating your values. A Giving Tuesday Campaign entails a business committing a portion of sales made during the day to a charity. This allows shoppers to discover your brand’s offerings, while donating their money to the charity you chose.

Keep reading to see more ideas for your Giving Tuesday Campaign!

Giving Tuesday Campaign Ideas

Whether you run a non-profit organization or a for-profit small business, Giving Tuesday is an opportunity to both get your logo seen and give back to the community. It’s never too early to start planning your Giving Tuesday Campaign, especially because collaboration is at the heart of Giving Tuesday.

As a Non-profit Organization

Look for local businesses to partner with. The brands and service companies in your area may be looking for a non-profit partner to donate their Giving Tuesday proceeds to. It’s best to look for companies that share your values, because their customers are more likely to feel drawn to your organization’s work. So if your non-profit cares for the environment, a company that sells products made from recycled materials can be the perfect partner. And remember that it’s okay to be creative – any business can participate in Giving Tuesday, including retailers, fitness companies, and eateries.

Advertise! Once you have your Giving Tuesday Idea figured out, the next step is to get the message out there. The more people know about your donation, the more funds you can raise for your cause.

Use promotional apparel or custom merch as a giveaway incentive for donations on December 3. (More details on this Giving Tuesday Idea below!)

As a Small Business Raising Donations

Decide which charity to support on Giving Tuesday. Just like the advice above to non-profit organizations, it’s important that brands pick a charity that shares values. If you own a pet store or operate a grooming business, consider donating your Giving Tuesday proceeds to an animal shelter. The organization you choose will help your customers recognize your values.

Decide what to offer. You can choose to donate portion of all profits made on December 3 to charity, or select a particular product or category for the campaign. Your Giving Tuesday campaign can be used to help promote a product you have extra inventory of.

Get creative. Even if your business is in a hospitality or customer service industry that doesn’t have products to sell, there are plenty of other ways you can incentivize your customers to give back. Offer your customers gift cards for beauty services or fitness classes, with a portion of proceeds going to the charity you picked.

How Giveaways & Custom Apparel Can Boost Donations

Branded apparel or merch can elevate a Giving Tuesday campaign for both non-profit organizations and small businesses. Custom merch lets donors feel like they’re part of the team. Plus, these custom products will outlive the give-back day, allowing them to serve as a promotional tool to increase brand visibility.

Non-profits can use custom promotional products as a thank-you gift to donors who participate in a brand’s campaign, giving people extra motivation to shop. Or, you can offer a giveaway like a stylish t-shirt or functional water bottle for all donations received on Giving Tuesday to boost your own fundraising initiatives.

Similarly, small businesses that offer services instead of material goods can sell branded merchandise such as sweatshirts, hats, or tote bags as part of your Giving Tuesday campaign. Many customers will be motivated to buy your branded products knowing that a portion of the cost will go to a good cause, and they’ll help make sure your logo gets seen.

Here are a few popular options of promotional apparel you can use in your Giving Tuesday campaign: