Beth's Blog: How Nonprofits Can Use Social Media

FEBRUARY 21, 2010

I've written a lot lately about contests ( Chase Community Giving and Pepsi Refresh ) here in the United States that are focused on "social media for social media." While Ennovent , a social enterprise, is very different from a major consumer brand in the US, I think we can learn a lot about the design of the contest. .

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Nonprofit Tech for Good

MAY 23, 2021

Galas, contests and performances went virtual. You are no longer confined to your local community to attend your event and support your cause. With virtual events, local supporters who cannot attend in-person can still be a part of special moments and participate in activities from afar.

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Virtual Personal Fundraising Broadcast 325

Amy Sample Ward

DECEMBER 11, 2009

Whether it’s small communities coming together offline to train and share knowledge about using technology or it’s innovation projects competing in the same contest working together instead – we hope you’ll find this short paper compelling and share it with your networks.

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Netsquared Community Case Study Build 162

Tech Soup

FEBRUARY 11, 2010

Intuit , the company that produces the favorite accounting software QuickBooks and financial management software Quicken (and TechSoup donor partner) is running a contest for small businesses (and nonprofits) to win a total of $35,000 in products, cash and free advertising.

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CauseVox

OCTOBER 17, 2024

Last year, Spur Local partnered with the community to host several creative events around GivingTuesday that were mutually beneficial for both local business and their organization. They hosted a Gratitude Crawl and invited people to shop at participating local small businesses on Small Business Saturday.

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Beth's Blog: How Nonprofits Can Use Social Media

MAY 21, 2013

But the winner was a story about stepping out an organization’s comfort zone to try to avoid repeating past mistakes. The winner is Heartland Pride and here’s their story: Little Bet: After years of having a local organization that planned pride in the Midwest fail numerous times, our organization was formed.

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Contest Omaha Social Media Project 93

OneCause

AUGUST 22, 2024

As you’re sitting by the fire, you can also host a scary story contest. For extra points, pick a location with an urban legend around it — local spooky spots have never been so useful! Pumpkin Carving Contest Get your donors engaged while getting into the spirit of Halloween with a pumpkin carving contest.

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Ideas Fundraising Contest Nonprofit 104

Judi Sohn

JANUARY 24, 2010

" In reality, the challenge illustrated exactly why these "vote for me" contests in the nonprofit world have got to go away. Contests that are designed to select winners based on popular votes only and huge dollar amounts inspire scarcity thinking. That a local organization is more deserving than a national one?

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Tech Soup

JULY 30, 2012

Using contests and challenges to engage communities was the topic of the July 17 edition of the weekly CommBuild chat. The chat, facilitated by by TechSoup online community manager, Michael DeLong, included helpful advice learned by participants who have run contests. Why hold a contest or challenge? Promote, promote, promote!

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Beth's Blog: How Nonprofits Can Use Social Media

MARCH 1, 2012

I was an early adopter of this approach back in 2006 and over the years I have had the opportunity to raise over $250,000 for a charity that supports Cambodian children using these techniques as part of online giving contests like the Case Foundation’s America’s Giving Challenge. Enter online fundraising contests.

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Community Fundraising Giving Social 111

Amy Sample Ward

JANUARY 25, 2010

"This contest was the culmination of a two-part "vote for me" cause marketing strategy that started in November and has been rife with controversy. "This contest was the culmination of a two-part "vote for me" cause marketing strategy that started in November and has been rife with controversy.

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CauseVox

MARCH 17, 2025

A golf tournament fundraiser is not only a fantastic day out but also a powerful fundraising event that can drive significant donations, strengthen community connections, and build long-lasting partnerships with local businesses. Also consider seeking in-kind donations like prizes or catering from local businesses or partners.

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Beth's Blog: How Nonprofits Can Use Social Media

DECEMBER 23, 2009

Should online contests be redesigned or just go away? That's the question that Kari Dunn Saratovsky asks in a post over at the Case Foundation blog , one of many blog posts and tweets about the controversy surrounding how the Chase Bank handled its online contest. 12/17: The Dark Side of Online Contests.

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Learning Contest Philanthropy Facebook 101

Nonprofit Tech for Good

DECEMBER 14, 2022

Many of us are familiar with local businesses sponsoring local sports teams. Same for any prizes, contests, sweepstakes, drawings, or competitions (essay contests, spelling bees, etc. Do you have something similar to offer possibly through a partnership with a local art collective or other nonprofit?

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Nonprofit Tech for Good

JULY 25, 2019

Nonprofit fundraising events can be a great opportunity to bring the support of donors, volunteers, and fundraisers together in real life to rally around your cause, whether it’s through a nationwide 5k or a local bowl-a-thon. That’s why we put together these best practices to get you started…. 1) Start with a clear goal.

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Fundraising Practice Nonprofit Registration 278

Classy

JUNE 21, 2021

Host a Contest With Multiple Ways to Participate. Hosting a contest can be an effective way to raise funds and encourage participation, but it’s important to remember that friendly competition isn’t for everyone. If you registered for the dog surf contest, a fundraising page was automatically created for you.

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Campaign Fundraising Contest Cancer 128

NetWits

MAY 25, 2011

Hold contests. Create contests that reward fundraising activity. You probably already receive support from many local companies. Encourage them to start a team of fundraisers. Not only do teams raise more money for your organization, they add camaraderie and competition to fundraising. Provide samples of everything.

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Tech Soup

DECEMBER 12, 2012

In celebration of the launch of Windows 8 and Windows Phone 8, Microsoft announced the Windows 8 Apps for Social Good Contest in partnership with NetSquared. The Windows 8 Apps for Social Good contest challenges anyone to design an app for Windows 8 or Windows Phone 8 that can make a positive difference. Here are some tips.

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Contest Social Netsquared Phone 56

Amy Sample Ward

MARCH 24, 2011

Hyper-local communities. Contests to encourage content sharing. Some of the topics from the chat include: Engaging specific ethnic groups/communities. Using content to fuel community engagement. Engagement for advocacy vs non-advocacy organizations. Social media in CRMs. You can read through the full archive here.

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Beth's Blog: How Nonprofits Can Use Social Media

OCTOBER 14, 2011

I’ve had a lot of experience with online contests, both as a participant (winner) and working two reflection papers for the Case Foundation ‘s America’s Giving Challenge. I said that I wished contest designers would take a Hippocratic Oath to do no harm to nonprofits! Designate a cheer leader.

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Washington Train Training Giving 98

Amy Sample Ward

MARCH 1, 2012

. —– In 2011, Washington, DC, became one of the first major metropolitan regions to host a multimillion-dollar local giving day: Give to the Max Day: Greater Washington. Nearly 18,000 people participated in the 24-hour, online fundraising event, raising more than $2 million to benefit 1,200 local nonprofits.

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Nonprofit Tech for Good

MARCH 25, 2022

Instead of serving everyone at a single location, consider a catered meal delivered to each of your donors from a local restaurant. Try reaching out to local musicians or up-and-coming performers, and you might be surprised by the response — many individuals love the chance to create awareness for good causes. 20) Book club.

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Virtual Ideas Fundraising Nonprofit 340

CauseVox

DECEMBER 5, 2024

This year-end, partner with a local business or major donor to secure a matching gift. Hold a “Who Looks Like Santa” contest, have supporters grow facial hair, challenge donors to run a 5k every weekend in December— it doesn’t matter what you choose, as long as it’s fun, funky, and different.

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Campaign Giving Strategy Donor 100

Have Fun - Do Good

NOVEMBER 4, 2009

Consequently, I was pretty excited when the Alliance for Biking and Walking asked me to spread the word about their People Powered Movement Photo Contest. The Alliance for Biking and Walking creates, strengthens, and unites state and local bicycle and pedestrian advocacy organizations. bike walk advocacy nonprofit photgraphy contest

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Beth's Blog: How Nonprofits Can Use Social Media

APRIL 16, 2012

With strong roots in prior national giving events and contests such as Twestival Local and America’s Giving Challenge , we wanted Twive to have the same fun spirit of those early ground-breaking giving events. Cities across America will compete to win their share of $30,000 in award money for a locally-serving nonprofit.

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Contest Social Media Award Local 98

OneCause

DECEMBER 4, 2024

We’ll start with our 10 favorites: Mulligans Donation Appeal Hole Sponsorship Hole-in-One Contest Putting Contest Helicopter Drop Pink Ball Contest Logo Accessories Drink Tickets Discounted Foursome Ticket Packages Once you’ve covered these, make to sure to explore the rest of our golf fundraising ideas , too.

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Ideas Fundraising Contest Raise 98

Qgiv

OCTOBER 12, 2021

If building a haunted house seems far too difficult, consider partnering with a local haunted house for your event. Ghost story contest. If you’re lacking a good collection of horror stories to tell, send a call out to your imaginative supporters to send in their scariest stories for a ghost story contest fundraiser.

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Ideas Fundraising Contest Movie 98

The Next Web

DECEMBER 23, 2013

You may even want to create a mentorship program between some of your current employees and computer science students at a local university. Creating contests or competitions is a great way to drum up interest and add a new level of energy to your intern recruiting and hiring process. Up the ante.

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International Companies Student Contest 124

Charity Village

APRIL 16, 2021

This contest will celebrate existing citizen-led initiatives throughout Ontario that are making positive impacts on the environment in local communities. The contest is open for submissions […]. Now accepting submissions until April 26, 2021.

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Foundation Contest Celebrate Environment 76

Nonprofit Tech for Good

APRIL 3, 2022

This can include large Fortune 500 companies or even local law firms, smaller companies, business-to-business suppliers, or retailers. Build a relationship with the staff and board of your local community foundation. Do a raffle, sweepstakes, contest, or giveaway in your community. Canvas door-to-door.

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Fundraising Donation Donor Social Media 336

Amy Sample Ward

APRIL 11, 2011

They are going to give five organizations 5,000 responses each (these could be divided up into multiple questions or used all for one), for free, with just two stipulations: You can only use global or national surveys (not local). You have to share what you learn! That’s it! Share Your Questions to Win.

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Amy Sample Ward

AUGUST 24, 2012

You can look at total contributions, contributions by household, discretionary income by household, and percentage of income given by household at the national, state, county, and local level.

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Web New York City Bookmarking Philanthropy 137

Nonprofit Tech for Good

OCTOBER 10, 2021

Whether inclement weather causes an event to be canceled or local circumstances require a change in format, event organizers should have a plan in place ahead of the tournament. 2) Have a Backup Plan. Be sure to have a plan for a rain date (if applicable—check your contract with the golf course) and determine how you’ll handle refunds.

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Fundraising Practice Sponsor Registration 239

Beth's Blog: How Nonprofits Can Use Social Media

NOVEMBER 16, 2009

Individuals can browse the site and find local nonprofits and make a donation online. This site, " I Live Here, I Give Here " is to draw attention to giving to local nonprofits in Austin, TX. The partners are a mix of local foundations and corporations. The site lists local nonprofits and links to a donation page.

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Giving Place Austin Minnesota 94

Amy Sample Ward

SEPTEMBER 22, 2009

India Social Entrepreneurship Journey, February 2010 Contest - Please support me! Journeys for Change is offering the chance to win a fully-paid nine-day tour of leading Social Entrepreneurs in India. NetSquared’s hosted Challenges for 3 years now, surfacing hundreds of innovative technologies for social impact.

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India Network Netsquared Offline 126

Judi Sohn

JANUARY 24, 2010

" In reality, the challenge illustrated exactly why these "vote for me" contests in the nonprofit world have got to go away. Contests that are designed to select winners based on popular votes only and huge dollar amounts inspire scarcity thinking. That a local organization is more deserving than a national one?

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Nonprofit Contest Charity Fundraising 100

Get Fully Funded

DECEMBER 4, 2022

Even though there aren’t as many people today reading actual newspapers or watching the 6 o’clock news these days, your local media still reaches a large audience of people in your community who need to know about your nonprofit’s work. The key to getting your nonprofit’s story in the news is building relationships with local journalists.

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