Jumpstart Your Day of Giving: Quick Planning Tips

Written by Crystal Berry, head of global partnerships, BetterWorld, [email protected]

The NCEA Many Gifts, One Nation Day of Giving is a powerful opportunity to unite your community, celebrate the mission of Catholic education and ensure the sustainability of your school’s future.

 At BetterWorld, we understand that fundraising for schools is more than just raising money; it’s about inspiring generosity, nurturing relationships and creating lasting impact. With the right approach and tools, your 24-hour Day of Giving campaign can do all this and more. Here’s how you can get started:

1. Define Your Campaign Goal

Whether raising funds for a specific project, expanding your programs or building your general fund, a clear and compelling goal is key. Supporters are more likely to contribute when they understand the tangible impact of their gift—think lab equipment, sports uniforms, a new roof. Schools with well-defined, time-bound objectives see up to 35 percent higher engagement rates, making your message even more powerful.

2. Plan Early and Strategically

Start planning your Day of Giving campaign 8-12 weeks in advance. Create a timeline with key milestones, such as defining goals, building your campaign page and scheduling emails and social media outreach. Start collecting novel content, such as photos, videos and testimonials, for use in your campaign.

3. Use Data to Inform Your Strategy

Review data from past campaigns to identify what worked well and where there’s room for improvement. Setting a goal for a 10–20 percent increase based on previous years’ performance is a great starting point. Keep in mind, email remains one of the most effective tools for driving donations, so use segmented email lists and personalized messages to reach different parts of your community.

4. Build a Compelling Campaign Page

Your campaign page is the heart of your Day of Giving effort. Make sure it’s visually appealing and clearly communicates your school’s mission. Use high-quality images, impactful videos and clear messaging about how donations will be used. BetterWorld’s platform allows for seamless integration of media and easy-to-customize donation forms that offer options for both one-time and monthly giving.

5. Share Your Campaign

To maximize the impact of your Day of Giving campaign, start building anticipation 3–4 weeks in advance by sharing your message consistently across email, social media and your school’s website. Tailor communications to different groups—alums, parents and new donors—highlighting how their support can make a meaningful difference. Use social media to broaden your reach, frequently posting stories that showcase your school’s mission and using live video to engage with your community in real time. Additionally, encourage peer-to-peer fundraising, empowering supporters to create their own campaigns, and pair this with matching gift opportunities to double the impact of donations.

Empowering Your Day of Giving Success with BetterWorld

BetterWorld’s tools can help maximize your Many Gifts, One Nation Day of Giving by providing customizable donation forms for a seamless giving experience and peer-to-peer fundraising options to expand your reach. You can enhance your campaign with fundraising auctions and raffles, while real-time reporting helps you track donations and engagement for better performance assessment.

We are here to support you in making this Day of Giving a transformative experience for your school, students and supporters. Together, we can amplify generosity and ensure Catholic education continues to thrive for generations to come.

These hints can be used for any fundraising campaign. Start planning now for the NCEA Many Gifts, One Nation campaign, January 29 – January 30, 2025, during Catholic Schools Week.