CHECKLIST FOR A SUCCESSFUL ‘LOVE UT GIVE UT’ CAMPAIGN

Love UT Give UT is a chance for you to bring more attention and donors to your organization. It is up to each you to identify what you think will generate the greatest interest and response from donors. Remember, the more you put into the event, the more you will get out of it! This checklist will guide you through planning a successful Love UT Give UT giving day campaign. Templates, tips, images, and more can be found in the Nonprofit Toolkit.

FIRST STEPS1. REGISTER YOUR NONPROFIT OR SCHOOL NOW. Complete and submit the

registration form. If you have questions email LoveUTGiveUT@utahcf.org. 2. ‘Like’ and follow us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/LoveUtGiveUt.3. Find a matching or challenge grant. Ask someone you know who will give in 2013 if

you can use their donation as an incentive for giving – or use this event as a reason to approach a new company or donor. A small challenge – even$100 – will help drive people to your page.

4. Mark your calendar for March 22, 2013 and start a project plan schedule.5. Select a staff member or volunteer as point person. Pick someone with strong

leadership and organizational skills, and who can commit to the entire campaign timeline and process. We estimate that between 10 and 30 hours is needed from this person.

6. Clean up your email list, and gather as many email addresses as you can for people on your mailing list. Ask a volunteer to call people and explain that you would like them to be a part of this statewide event.

7. Ask a few close friends to commit to giving on Love UT Give UT. Explain why giving on 3.22.13 matters and how their donation specifically on that date can make an exponential impact.

SET GOALS 8. Set clear goals beyond raising money or winning a prize. Why should your agency

be excited and put energy into this project? How can you help build your capacity, highlight a program, or cultivate new donors?

9. Develop and share a communications plan around these goals with your Board, staff and key volunteers. What do you want them to say about why Love UT Give UT is important?

REVISIT AND GET READY TO SHARE YOUR MESSAGE10. Get your ‘story’ straight. Think about your message. Develop a short, clear and

compelling statement about who you are and the impact you have on the quality of life in Utah.

11. Find a few great photos. Gather a few quotes from people who love your work. Produce a short (1-30 seconds, max) video highlighting your successes. These do not need to be professional!

GET ON SOCIAL MEDIA12. If your organization does not have a Facebook Page or a Twitter account, create

them right away. Gather friends, and post or tweet at least weekly about your activities. There is a simple guide to Twitter and Facebook in the Nonprofit Toolkit to help you get started.

GET SET UP ON RAZOO13. Mark your calendar for two online webinars that will help you understand how to

set up the web page you will use on the actual Day of Giving and the pre-event page. The two trainings are the same, but held at different times and different days: January 9, 2013 from 2:00-3:00 pm and January 10, 2013 from 9:00-10:00 am.

14. Refer to the “Build your Love UT Give UT page presentation” for setup instructions after training dates. Remember, the Nonprofit Toolkit also has resources to help you use your Razoo Page to its full potential.

15. Watch for additional trainings focused on improving your social media before the big day.

1 MONTH BEFORE MARCH 22

1. Start communicating with everyone you want to know about and support you on March 22. Ask them to go to the pre-event page, add the date to their calendar, friend you on Facebook, like the “Love UT Give UT Facebook page – and get all their friends excited, too.

2. Promote the event in your newsletters, emails, and on your website. Tell everyone you know that 3.22.13 is THE day to give in Utah.

3. Get the buzz going on your own web page, share news of matching grants, and share posts from our Love UT Give UT Facebook page and web site. Social media presence will be a major traffic-driver, so start conversations now and provide information that your followers can spread across their networks.

4. Start telling engaging stories on your nonprofit’s social media. Interview volunteers and beneficiaries of the work of your nonprofit. Post photos and videos on your Razoo page and your social media sites. Giving is an emotional activity and stories help people engage and see how they can play a part in making a difference.

5. Plan an event for 3.22.13. This can be a simple open-house at your agency or school, a meet up at a local coffee shop or restaurant. Ask a board member to invite people to their home to host an on-line giving event.

6. Print out half sheets with a QR code to your nonprofit’s page so people can give in person on their smart phones at your event.

7. Use other tools in the Nonprofit Toolkit.

1-2 WEEKS BEFORE MARCH 22

8. Update your Facebook status with a link to the Love UT Give UT landing page: www.loveutgiveut.org

9. Encourage your staff and volunteers to do one-on-one outreach to their friends and networks. Word-of-mouth is crucial – most people donate because they are asked by friends or family.

10. If you have a matching grant, set it up on Razoo, and publicize it in your all communications.

11. Consider doing a countdown on Facebook and Twitter by posting a new image in your status update each morning.

12. Remind your busy donor that they can schedule their donation ahead of time. Send them a link to your nonprofit’s page on the Love UT Give UT Razoo site and instruct them to click the link on the donation box to schedule their gift. They will enter their donation information and the gift will be count as part of Love UT Give UT.

13. Finalize volunteers or volunteer duties for day of events. Prepare all necessary outreach materials.

14. Prepare any communication pieces you plan to send on the day of giving itself. Draft an email you can ask your key supporters to email to all of their friends. Leave open spots for real-time information, (’we are xx donors away from meeting our match!) but creating the templates 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.

MARCH 20 AND 21

15. Send out email reminders to supporters and ask them to spread the word throughout their circles of influence. Send the emails you already drafted asking your supporters to share with all their friends.

16. Confirm volunteers for day of activities.17. Post two or three times a day on your social media channels. Don’t just ask for

money, but stir up excitement by pointing out what makes Utah so great and why it is important to participate in Love UT Give UT.

18. Continue posting stories on your blog and the Love UT Give UT Razoo page. Help people understand the unique way your organization serves your community. Show them how you make a difference and how their donation will enable you to do even more.

MARCH 22, 2013!

19. Send at least three emails throughout the day to your supporters. Include specific actions of what they can do, (ex: donate, like your nonprofit page on Facebook, tell 5 friends to donate, tweet a link to our nonprofit page, etc.). Update them on fundraising progress. Remind them of your overall goal. Provide a reason for them to give again, like the challenge grants and hourly

prizes. Let them know if your organization wins any prizes.

20. Use Facebook and Twitter to cheer on and thank donors with status updates and re-posts in real-time.

21. Ask questions to generate conversation and community.

THE DAY AFTER THE DAY OF GIVING

22. Announce your successes on Facebook/twitter/website. Include the funds and numbers of donors, new donors, any matching grants, etc.

23. Cultivate your new friends! Send thank you e-mail to each donor one or two days after the event to tell them how their donation 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 and be sure to ask donors to

subscribe to your e-news. If you do not have e-news, consider creating one! Add all donors to your database, invite them to cultivation events and/or one-on-one meetings.

THE WEEK THE DAY OF GIVING

24. Make sure to share final numbers in newsletter and other communications.25. Sign up for next year!

SUPPORT

Technical QuestionsRazoo: Support@Razoo.com 866-437-1952 Monday-Friday, 9am-6pm EST

Organizer:Community Foundation of UtahJon Manning, CoordinatorLoveUTGiveUT@utahcf.org | 801-559-3005