Communications Timeline

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Major Milestones

Month 1

The Abilene Gives Team will:

  • Encourage nonprofits to sign up for Abilene Gives
  • Network with and recruit local community nonprofit leaders to expand and amplify Abilene Gives’s message to nonprofits, donors, and other general supporters

You should:

  • Sign up for Abilene Gives and customize your profile
  • Assemble your Abilene Gives team and involve them in planning how your Abilene Gives campaign will complement your annual fundraising strategy
  • Attend a webinar to learn about Abilene Gives, how to promote your Abilene Gives campaign, and how to recruit and utilize peer-to-peer fundraisers
  • Discover all the resources available for you to use in your nonprofit toolkit (email marketing, social media posts, graphics, planning guide, and more!)

Month 2

The Abilene Gives Team will:

  • Work with local newspapers, radio stations, and other media outlets to continue spreading the word to a wider audience about Abilene Gives
  • Continue offering trainings to nonprofits participating in Abilene Gives, and those interested in the opportunity, on giving day best practices.
  • Develop content for nonprofits participating in Abilene Gives to use, and for use on abilenegives social media pages, Facebook and Twitter.

You should:

  • Craft your campaign story. How are you celebrating Abilene Gives? How will you use the funds raised during Abilene Gives? Why should donors give to you on Abilene Gives? Watch our Storytelling Training Video to learn more!
  • Recruit fundraising champions for your campaign. You can use your Board, volunteers, or staff!
  • Let your volunteers know you’re participating in Abilene Gives and you need their help in extra special ways! Give them meaningful assignments to fully engage them.
  • Develop your messaging plan for the next 2 months to ensure your donors know you are participating in Abilene Gives on May 7th (8 a.m. - 8 p.m.). Download the email and social media timelines in the Nonprofit Toolkit to get a head start!

Month 3

The Abilene Gives Team will:

  • Provide more resources to local community nonprofit leaders to expand and amplify Abilene Gives’s message to nonprofits, donors, and other general supporters
  • Continue promoting Abilene Gives to nonprofits across the region

You should:

  • Send out a save the date email and social media post to all of your supporters! Download the Abilene Gives “Save the Date” graphic from the Nonprofit Toolkit to make sure your messages stand out!
  • Host a fundraising champion kick-off party to teach your fundraising champions best practices on fundraising!

Month 4

The Abilene Gives Team will:

  • Heavily promote Abilene Gives to all media outlets across the region
  • Finalize partnerships with local businesses to benefit every nonprofit participating in Abilene Gives

You should:

  • Post on social media regularly about Abilene Gives, using the hashtag abilenegives
  • Email your supporters with additional details about Abilene Gives. How do they give? Why should they give? When should they give?
  • Ensure your campaign story and messaging are ready to go. Make a test donation to make sure you understand the process.

Day of

The Abilene Gives Team will:

  • Heavily promote Abilene Gives to all media outlets across the region
  • Provide 24-hour support to all nonprofits and their supporters

You should:

  • Post on social media regularly about Abilene Gives, using the hashtag abilenegives
  • Email your supporters with updates and how they can help your Abilene Gives campaign
  • Thank your supporters in real-time on social media, in emails, or give them a call!
  • Celebrate!

Beyond

The Abilene Gives Team will:

  • Share statistics from Abilene Gives, including nonprofit success stories, and describe the powerful change that will happen as a result of the generous donations to local nonprofits.

You should:

  • Share the results from your Abilene Gives participation and what those results mean.
  • Thank your donors and let them know exactly what their donations mean for your program.
  • Send handwritten notes to your fundraising champions and your Board for their assistance.
  • Send periodic updates on how the donations you received are being used. Keep your donors engaged by letting them know how their money is benefiting your organization and your cause.
  • Engage with your donors on GiveGab after Abilene Gives by posting volunteer opportunities, fundraising, and hosting events!