Inspire Your Community to Make a Gift of Gratitude This Thanksgiving Season
My husband and I adopted Chevy last November from our local humane society. His birthday is in October. Chevy will be six years old. This bundle of joy has changed our lives. This Thanksgiving, I’ll be giving thanks with a donation to the Northumberland Humane Society in Chevy’s honour.
One of my favourite things about being Canadian is the experience of four distinct seasons.
However, the transition from summer to autumn is my favourite. The changing colour of the leaves, cooler evenings, cozy weekends, pumpkin patches, and the sights and smells of harvest festivals.
Yep, it's sweater weather …. And the season of giving thanks.
As Thanksgiving approaches, it's the perfect time to reflect on the blessings in our lives and express our gratitude through generosity and acts of service. One meaningful way to do this is by engaging your community to make a gift of gratitude.
Here are some essentials I put into practice when organizing Thanksgiving appeals and engagement opportunities:
Positioning
Before you start any community engagement project, defining your purpose is essential. What are you grateful for, and how can you translate that gratitude into a gift to support your cause? Determine your fundraising goals. How much money do you want to raise, and what will it be used for? Having clear objectives will help motivate donors and guide your campaign.
Storytelling
Cultivate a compelling story that will resonate with your community of supporters. Your appeal, request, or event should tell a heartfelt story about why this cause matters. Share personal anecdotes or stories of individuals who have benefited from similar efforts. Connect with your audience emotionally by creating eye-catching content. Design visually appealing graphics, videos, and promotional materials that explain your cause and the impact of donations. Use authentic visuals to capture attention on social media and your campaign page. Engage your community by starting a conversation about gratitude and giving back. Share stories of gratitude within your community through blog posts, social media, or local newspapers. Highlight the impact your community's gifts of gratitude have made on individuals and families.
Leveraging technology
Use multiple channels to promote your Thanksgiving appeal. Leverage social media platforms, email newsletters, and your personal network to spread the word. Encourage friends and family to share the campaign as well. Your online giving platform can be leveraged to activate peer-to-peer fundraising modules and technologies.
Saying thank you
Remember to reciprocate the gratitude by expressing your appreciation to everyone who participated in the community gift of gratitude. Recognize their efforts and share the results of your collective actions, showing the positive change you've brought to your community. Keep donors engaged by regularly updating them on the progress of your campaign. Share how their contributions are making a difference and showcase the impact of their generosity.
Building momentum
While Thanksgiving is an excellent time to launch your campaign, don't limit your efforts to just one day. Keep the momentum going by accepting donations throughout the holiday season and beyond. This is an excellent opportunity to implement multi-channel fundraising and integrate your giving message or brand throughout the fall and into GivingTuesday, holiday giving, and end-of-year requests.
Gratitude is a powerful force that can unite people, foster kindness, and create a positive and lasting impact on communities. By giving and expressing appreciation, we not only celebrate the spirit of Thanksgiving but also plant the seeds of compassion and unity that will continue to flourish long after the holiday season. As a sector, we can make this Thanksgiving season memorable by extending our hands and hearts to all, ensuring the warmth of gratitude permeates every corner of our shared lives.
