LGD16 CHECKLIST FOR SUCCESS
The following will walk you through planning steps for a successful Lowcountry Giving Day
campaign. Our aim is to unite Lowcountry citizens, merchants and nonprofits for the purpose of
making the coastal community a better place to live, grow, create and learn through a spirit of
generosity and collaboration.
This won’t take much time for you to prepare accordingly and doing so will help you to
effectively use your time. It will be well worth the investment.
Mark your Calendar
rd​
● Mark all calendars with May 3​
and start a project plan schedule.
● Select a staff member or volunteer as point person. This person should have strong
leadership and organizational skills and be committed to see the campaign through the
entire process.
● Establish success metrics for your campaign. An example could be to cultivate new
donors, build capacity, or to highlight a program or need. Develop and build your
communication plan around specific goals.
● Use social media as a marketing tool for your campaign. Social media allows you to reach
and engage with people across channels and it starts the word-of-mouth,
business-to-business and grassroots campaign that will be invaluable to your success.
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Getting Started
● Click the Register button at www.lowcountrygivingday.org to officially register for
LGD16.
● Follow the prompts to pick your keyword and set up your page. If you have already set
up a campaign through ​
https://text.gives​
then just enter your keyword when you
register. Read the instructions and watch the How-to video for assistance on your LGD
Toolkit.
● Attend the SCANPO training sessions to learn how to share and utilize your LGD16
campaign and page at ​
http://bit.ly/1UyHLMA
● Learn how to manage your campaign dashboard and to track your donations. To log into
your dashboard go to www.bidr.co and click the login button. The email you used to set
up your page is your account name and you chose a password at ​
http://bit.ly/1RbGYTG
Reach Out As Soon as Possible
● Approach corporations, local businesses, board members and major donors who are
strong supporters of your organization to provide a matching grant incentive. Any size
grant can be used to boost your donor participation so don’t be shy.
● Personally ask top donors to commit to giving on May 3, 2016. Your donors might be
used to giving at a particular time of year, so you’ll want them to put the day on their
calendar now and be ready to give then. Explain why giving on May 3, 2016 matters and
how their donation specifically on that date can make an exponential impact. Think
#lowcountryunite​
!
● Start building the excitement! Tell donors to get ready for “THE day” and tell them you
will need their help!
● Update your social media and create some buzz!
One Month Before LGD16
● Decide on fundraising goals (dollars, number of donors, and what that means for your
organization) and communicate it.
● Promote the event in your newsletter, emails, and on your website. Be clear that May 3,
2016 is THE day to give in the lowcountry. Update your e-mail signature to include a
“coming soon” announcement with the date of Lowcountry Giving Day May 3rd
​​
, 2016.
● Encourage supporters to ‘Like’ Lowcountry Giving Day, to use ​
#lowcountryunite​
and
also ​
#LGD16​
. Your social media presence will be a major traffic-driver, so start
conversations now and provide information that your followers can spread across their
networks.
● Embed a widget on all of your online communication so donors can easily give. Follow
this code: ​
<script src="​
http://text.gives/embed/widget.js?keyword=YOURKEYWORD&theme=default"​
async></script><div id="TGWidget"></div>
● Start telling engaging stories on your nonprofit’s blog. Interview volunteers and
beneficiaries about the work of your nonprofit and its impact. Post the videos on your
website, social media and nonprofit’s blog and include your unique keyword. Giving is an
emotional activity and stories help people engage and see how they can play a part in
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making a difference. Use your keyword repeatedly to reinforce your message and
organization.
● Consider hosting and begin to plan an offline event during LGD16. This can be a drop-in
at your office or a meet up at a local spot or home. Encourage attendees to text your
keyword to donate and use digital signage to reinforce giving, thank donors and increase
excitement and engagement.
● Use other tools from the LGD16 Toolkit: email templates, social media guide, marketing
tips.
1-2 Weeks Before LGD16
● Update your Facebook status with a link to the Lowcountry Giving Day landing page
www.lowcountrygivingday.org​
.
● Link your nonprofit website to ​
www.lowcountrygivingday.org​
too.
● Encourage your staff and volunteers to reach out one-on-one or through social sharing
to their friends and networks. Word-of-mouth is crucial – research suggests that most
people donate because they are asked by a friend or family.
● Set up your matching grant on the Lowcountry Giving Day landing page, and publicize it
in your communications.
● Post info about any supporting Catalysts or challenges
● Consider doing a countdown on Facebook and Twitter by posting a new image in your
status update each morning.
● If donors will be away on May 3, 2016, they can schedule their donation ahead of time
after April 1st, 2016. When they make a donation to your Text.Gives page they will be
asked to check a box if they want the donation scheduled to me made on May 3, 2016
LGD16. They will enter their donation information in advance and the gift will be
processed on May 3, 2016 and count as part of LGD16.
● Finalize volunteers or volunteer duties for day of events on May 3rd
​​
, 2016. Prepare all
necessary outreach materials.
rd​
● Prepare communication pieces you plan to send during the day on May 3​
, 2016. Leave
open spots for real-time information, but creating a template ahead of time will give you
more time to think and be clear about what you are saying in the midst of a busy day.
1-2 Days Before LGD16
● Send out email reminders to supporters and ask them to spread the word throughout
their networks and circles of influence.
● Confirm volunteers for day of activities.
● Post 2-3 times a day on your social media channels. Don’t just ask for money, but stir up
excitement by pointing out what makes our community so great and worth investing in
Lowcountry Giving Day. Remember our goal is to unite for the purpose of making the
Lowcountry an even better place to live, work, love and learn.
● Continue posting stories on your blog and social media. Help people understand the
unique way your nonprofit is equipped to serve the community. Show them how you
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make a difference in their neighborhood and how their donation enables you to do even
more.
May 3, 2016: Lowcountry Giving Day
● Send emails throughout the day to supporters. Include specific instructions on what
they can do, (e.g. donate, like your nonprofit page on Facebook, tell 5 friends to donate,
tweet a link to our nonprofit page, etc.).
● Update donors and supporters on fundraising progress.
● Remind them of your overall goal.
● Provide a reason for them to give again, like your matching grant, prizes, or other awards
or Catalyst involvement or incentives.
● Encourage your donors to shout out to the world that they donated to your cause. Ask
them to add a Call-to-action with your link to others to donate.
● Encourage your donors to use their “I Gave” digital badges! Show “I Gave” badges to
merchants for credit or rewards!
● Let them know if any prizes have been won
● Utilize Facebook and Twitter to cheer on and thank donors with status updates in
real-time.
● Ask questions to generate conversation and community.
The Day After Lowcountry Giving Day
● Announce your successes on Facebook/twitter/website. Include info about:
○ Matching grants met
○ Awards won
○ Number of donors
○ Money raised
○ New donors
● Send thank you emails to donors 1-2 days after the event to tell them how their donation
was put to good work and made a difference. Don’t forget to provide updates about your
nonprofit and make it easy for them to stay in touch.
● Send physical thank you notes to top donors.
● Add all donors to your database, invite them to cultivation events or personal meeting.
Month After Lowcountry Giving Day
● Tell us about your experience and success during the event.
● Make sure to share final numbers in newsletter and other communications.
● Sign up for next year!
For more info go to www.lowcountrygivingday.org or support.bidr.co. Inquiries or questions
contact ​
info@bidr.co​
or ​
​
caroline.staley@bidr.co
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