Non-profit videos highlight (more than) five reasons to use social media

In the past month, Fundly hosted a video contest for non-profits to share tips about what works in social media fundraising with their peers in the community. As CEO of Fundly, I have the privilege to speak with social media savvy non-profits every day and often I am impressed, even moved, by their stories.  There is so much to learn from the experiences of others!

We encouraged non-profits to share their stories about the use of social media in a short video.
We hope that you enjoy watching the videos as much as I did and, more importantly, that you can take away some ideas to implement for your own organization right away!

Some goals non-profits are hoping to achieve through social media:

1.      Raising awareness.

We use Facebook in our personal lives to stay in touch with and feel closer to friends from our youth or from far away. Similarly, Facebook makes supporters feel much closer to your cause. An example:

Bobby Bailey for the Global Poverty Project (with Jesse Brune from “Private Chefs of Beverly Hills”)

“I have been eating for $1.50 a day to raise awareness for the billion people who are forced to live for under a $1.50 a day, every day. We are using YouTube videos to increase understanding about global poverty. It’s a great way to get the word out.”

 2.      Friends help friends.

As much as we would like to believe that all donors are drawn to your cause because of the excellent work that you are doing, the truth is that many are supporting a friend.  Friends help friends achieve their goals in life, including fundraising goals. An example:

Michael LaFemina for the Alliance for Climate Education

“This is what friends do – they help each other. Using Facebook updates we are getting hundreds of thousands of high-school students around the country to care about climate change and – maybe – to get my former high-school prom date to donate to a great cause.  Maybe she will support us because she likes our work, or maybe just because she likes my status update and remembers all the gummy bears I brought her in high school. It starts with social media and it’s a simple ask of friends asking friends.”

3.      Finding new supporters.

It may be difficult to find the natural supporters for your cause without social media. People who care about your cause may be geographically spread and getting the word out about your cause should be a priority. An example:

Kristen Parrinello for Furnishing Hope

“With over half the world’s population age 30 and younger, the millennial and digital native generation are more plugged in than any other generation. Therefore we see the value in investing in online fundraising. Developing an online community is a great way to find people who are passionate about our work.”

 4.      Demonstrate the impact of gifts.
Demonstrating the impact of donations via photo and video documentation can lead to the happy cycle of giving: people who are happy give more money, but giving to others (and seeing the impact) makes people happier … leading to more giving. An example:

Stefanie Alexander for HandsOn New Orleans

“As these projects develop and gain strength from our volunteer leaders, the HandsOn social media department will document the progress of each project. Using photo and video documentation will enable HandOn New Orleans to develop fundraising campaigns that powerfully demonstrate to our donors the impact of their gift.”

 5.     Share your social media experimentations with others.
The use of social media by non-profits is still new and we learn better and faster together about what works and what doesn’t. An example:

Melissa Jun Rowley, a well known cause correspondent

“I am passionate about social media and its ability to initiate social change. Help spread the word about social media and how it can help raise money for your favorite cause: get off the couch and get reporting!”

And the winner? This was a contest after all …

Congratulations to Stefanie Alexander from HandsOn New Orleans!

HandsOn New Orleans is a nonprofit volunteer network with a mission to transform communities through volunteer service and leadership development, was named the winner from among an impressive field of entrants. They are receiving a $1,000 grant from Fundly for creating the top video in the contest.
The enthusiasm of the Hands On New Orleans organization really shone through in the video and the members of the jury gave it high marks for winning hearts and minds by telling volunteerism stories via the social web.

“We want to tell the story of how volunteers come to take action, make an impact, and stay involved,” HandsOn said in the winning video, recipient of a $1,000 grant for creating the top video in the contest.

“HandsOn New Orleans will be using our grant to engage a wider local volunteer base to provide continuity to our visiting volunteer efforts,” said Stefanie Alexander, head of social media for HandsOn New Orleans. “These volunteers will serve as volunteer leaders, providing not only continuity to the various projects we have throughout the city, but also helping to recruit new volunteers within the community.”

Other notable mentions included submissions from The Tipitina Foundation, Falling Whistles, Young Angels, andPhilanthro, making the final decision a tough one for the jury panel.

Some coverage on the contest:

HandsOn New Orleans Wins Social Fundraising Money

TOP NONPROFITS HIGHLIGHT SOCIAL MEDIA AS KEY FUNDRAISING DRIVER IN FUNDLY.COM VIDEOS

Thank you to all contestants! They all received a free technology grant to use Fundly’s social fundraising tools.

Rock on!

Dave Boyce, CEO Fundly