Start months in advance. Choose a time that doesn’t compete with other events, and map out your timeline carefully. Build your assets (emails, letters, social media graphics, videos) early so you can focus on engagement during the campaign itself.
Collaboration is key. Bring advancement, marketing, and school leadership together to plan and assign roles well before launch day.
Define what success looks like. Include details such as participation percentage, total number of donors, or total dollars raised. Post these goals publicly and provide daily updates to show momentum.
For example: 75% parent participation
A strong theme helps unify your messaging. Tie your giving week to something tangible that donors can get behind, like classroom technology, chapel renovations, or financial aid for families. Make it visually appealing by using consistent colors, logos, and taglines across all emails, videos, and social media platforms.
Involve alumni, grandparents, faculty, and students. Give each group a role and a reason to participate, whether it’s a friendly class challenge or a simple ask to share the campaign.
Personal outreach is powerful. Ask key community members to lend their names to letters, emails, or videos. Encourage them to share their own stories of why the school matters to them.
Use every communication channel you have, including emails, parish bulletins, yard signs, QR codes, posters, and social media. Keep the energy up throughout the campaign with real-time updates, testimonials, and friendly competition. Use leaderboards, live progress bars, and shoutouts to celebrate participation as it happens.
When the campaign ends, celebrate! Share your total raised, highlight milestones, and thank every donor. (You can have students write handwritten letters!) Follow up with stories of impact and how those funds are already making a difference in your classrooms and community. Celebration builds momentum for the next campaign.
Whether you start on Giving Tuesday or plan a springtime Week of Giving, the key is to plan early, communicate often, and celebrate generously. When your community feels engaged and appreciated, generosity follows.