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Download the Comprehensive Communication Guide to Prepare for Missoula Gives & Bitterroot Gives!
Major Milestones
Month 1
The Missoula Gives & Bitterroot Gives Team will:
- Encourage nonprofits to sign up for Missoula Gives & Bitterroot Gives
- Network with and recruit local community nonprofit leaders to expand and amplify Missoula Gives & Bitterroot Gives’s message to nonprofits, donors, and other general supporters
You should:
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Sign up for Missoula Gives & Bitterroot Gives and customize your profile
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Assemble your Missoula Gives & Bitterroot Gives team and involve them in planning how your Missoula Gives & Bitterroot Gives campaign will complement your annual fundraising strategy
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Attend a webinar to learn about Missoula Gives & Bitterroot Gives, how to promote your Missoula Gives & Bitterroot Gives campaign, and how to recruit and utilize peer-to-peer fundraisers
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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 Missoula Gives & Bitterroot Gives Team will:
- Work with local newspapers, radio stations, and other media outlets to continue spreading the word to a wider audience about Missoula Gives & Bitterroot Gives
- Continue offering trainings to nonprofits participating in Missoula Gives & Bitterroot Gives, and those interested in the opportunity, on giving day best practices.
- Develop content for nonprofits participating in Missoula Gives & Bitterroot Gives to use, and for use on missoulagives social media pages, Facebook and Twitter.
You should:
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Craft your campaign story. How are you celebrating Missoula Gives & Bitterroot Gives? How will you use the funds raised during Missoula Gives & Bitterroot Gives? Why should donors give to you on Missoula Gives & Bitterroot Gives? Watch our Storytelling Training Video to learn more!
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Recruit fundraising champions for your campaign. You can use your Board, volunteers, or staff!
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Let your volunteers know you’re participating in Missoula Gives & Bitterroot Gives and you need their help in extra special ways! Give them meaningful assignments to fully engage them.
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Develop your messaging plan for the next 2 months to ensure your donors know you are participating in Missoula Gives & Bitterroot Gives on May 2-3. Download the email and social media timelines in the Nonprofit Toolkit to get a head start!
Month 3
The Missoula Gives & Bitterroot Gives Team will:
- Provide more resources to local community nonprofit leaders to expand and amplify Missoula Gives & Bitterroot Gives’s message to nonprofits, donors, and other general supporters
- Continue promoting Missoula Gives & Bitterroot Gives to nonprofits across the region
You should:
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Send out a save the date email and social media post to all of your supporters! Download the Missoula Gives & Bitterroot Gives “Save the Date” graphic from the Nonprofit Toolkit to make sure your messages stand out!
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Host a fundraising champion kick-off party to teach your fundraising champions best practices on fundraising!
Month 4
The Missoula Gives & Bitterroot Gives Team will:
- Heavily promote Missoula Gives & Bitterroot Gives to all media outlets across the region
- Finalize partnerships with local businesses to benefit every nonprofit participating in Missoula Gives & Bitterroot Gives
You should:
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Post on social media regularly about Missoula Gives & Bitterroot Gives, using the hashtag missoulagives
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Email your supporters with additional details about Missoula Gives & Bitterroot Gives. How do they give? Why should they give? When should they give?
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Ensure your campaign story and messaging are ready to go. Make a test donation to make sure you understand the process.
Day of
The Missoula Gives & Bitterroot Gives Team will:
- Heavily promote Missoula Gives & Bitterroot Gives to all media outlets across the region
- Provide 24-hour support to all nonprofits and their supporters
You should:
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Post on social media regularly about Missoula Gives & Bitterroot Gives, using the hashtag missoulagives
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Email your supporters with updates and how they can help your Missoula Gives & Bitterroot Gives campaign
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Thank your supporters in real-time on social media, in emails, or give them a call!
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Celebrate!
Beyond
The Missoula Gives & Bitterroot Gives Team will:
- Share statistics from Missoula Gives & Bitterroot 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:
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Share the results from your Missoula Gives & Bitterroot Gives participation and what those results mean.
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Thank your donors and let them know exactly what their donations mean for your program.
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Send handwritten notes to your fundraising champions and your Board for their assistance.
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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.
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Engage with your donors on GiveGab after Missoula Gives & Bitterroot Gives by posting volunteer opportunities, fundraising, and hosting events!