Basher or cheerleader? 🤔
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​ What are your thoughts on Giving Tuesday, Reader? Not gonna lie, I was quite surprised to see so much Giving Tuesday bashing on LinkedIn this year from others in the social impact and nonprofit space. And I get it - there's seemingly a lot of pressure for ONE day of the year. But Giving Tuesday was never meant to be a part of the transactional nature of Black Friday/Cyber Monday - it was meant to be an alternative. To put money where our values are and support causes instead of consumerism. GivingTuesday reported that this was actually a record-breaking year of giving, so it's not an argument over whether or not it's effective. The biggest factor of Giving Tuesday success, in my humble opinion, is how you communicate with your donors year-round. If you open avenues of conversation, display your impact with integrity and transparency, and prioritize building relationships, your soon-to-be and current donors will be happy to contribute toward your goal by the time Giving Tuesday rolls around. But if you hardly talk to them all year, then throw ads and a million emails in their face on a single Tuesday... you're probably not going to see the results you'd hoped for. That's not to throw shade. I say that to lovingly point out that this approach is the same tactic as BF/CM sales blasts, and that doesn't fully carry over when we're talking about a mission much greater than a half-priced gadget you'll give to Goodwill in 6 months. Giving Tuesday isn't an option for every organization, and that's fine. But we can't carry over apathy and cynicism from within and expect our sector to thrive. I think it's an incredibly beautiful thing to see people from all over the world come together on one day to support causes they care about. Let's hold onto that. This week on LinkedIn, I discussed what I noticed and ways to prepare for a successful campaign next year. But I'm curious to hear from you: Did you participate in Giving Tuesday, and did you reach your goals? What do you determine to be the reasons it succeeded or fell short? Do you have any strong opinions about this day? These conversations are important for ironing out the kinks, broadening perspective, and setting strategic goals for 2026. Click reply and tell me your opinions on this - I'd love to discuss!
Difference Maker Spotlight2025 has shown me (and pretty much everyone else I know) how much we crave connection and make decisions based on trust. That includes who we choose to listen to and work with. So I'm creating a new section in my weekly email to share people & resources I recommend - trustworthy people hellbent on making an impact, just like you and me. My goal for this spotlight section is to bring high-quality people into your circle, so you can ditch the second-guessing and decision fatigue when searching for someone to help your organization solve a problem. This week, it's my honor to introduce you to Maria Bryan! ↓ Liking this new addition to my newsletter? Click reply to tell me what kind of resources you'd like to see featured here! PS: I turn 30 next week! 🎉 And you're invited to my Birthday Bash, featuring 5 days of ways I can help you make 2026 your most impactful year yet. I'm also unveiling a brand new offer and generous bonuses, so keep an eye on your inbox! My Birthday Bash kicks off on Friday, the 12th. |