When it comes to the strike, the worst thing your non-profit can do is nothing.
Our savvy Senior Consultants put their heads and hearts together to compile best practices you can implement now to protect yourself from the far-reaching effects of the postal workers strike. These are innovative and effective solutions that charities can rely on to navigate the circumstances and result in fundraising success. We don’t know how long it will go on, but we know if it’s two days or two weeks, it can have a detrimental impact to your organization’s fundraising goals during a crucial time for meeting objectives.
Here are 10 tips your team can integrate now to drive that final push for fundraising:
- BE PERSONAL AND PROACTIVE. Get on the phone. Call your contacts. Use the strike to your advantage to personally reconnect with your donors. Engage your volunteers in a phone strategy, “We can’t reach out to you as per usual via mail, but wanted to check in with you personally. How are you? Do you have any questions? Would you be willing to explain to us why you support our organization? Did you know that our website is still a great option to make a gift?”
- CONSIDER SECURE LOCK BOXES. Have you considered a central location in your community that’s open long hours where you could leave a secure lock box for donations? Some examples are senior centres, shopping malls, grocery stores etc.
- DONATION DRIVE. Have an area set up in a busy parking lot during the holiday season where people can drive by and easily drop off their donations.
- DIGITAL STRATEGY. Showcase your client stories on social media. Have QR codes ready to roll out that link to giving. Don’t forget that many donors, especially younger donors, like to ‘tap & give’. Make sure you aren’t missing out on this fundraising opportunity. Text to give is also a sound strategy to investigate, especially during a postal strike.
- LOCAL COURIERS. Unaddressed mail with your call to action can be hand delivered to homes by small, locally based courier companies.
- LOCAL NEWSPAPER INSERTS & COMMUNITY PAPERS. Consider including your messaging in smaller, local papers that are not distributed by Canada Post.
- HOUSEKEEPING. Clean your data. Valid email addresses and regular contact with donors is critical.
- RADIO SPOTS. Radio offers a free push for your campaign. Tell a client story. Radio stations do allow a certain amount of announcements reserved for charities at no cost. Research this in your local market and use it to your advantage.
- POSTER CAMPAIGN & LOCAL BUSINESS SIGNAGE. Create a poster and make sure to include your QR code to give. Place them everywhere. You can also have your message and even a QR code placed on digital signage owned by local businesses and sponsors.
- BUSINESS/SPONSOR PARTNERSHIPS. Can you piggyback on a local business or sponsor when they communicate with their clientele? Does the organization email clients or provide them with an insert in their shopping bag or a CTA on a receipt? There are many ways to get the word out about your mission via these corporate touchpoints.
We hope these strategies help drive mission. A reminder that our team is available to build these ideas out alongside your teams via our complimentary 30-minute virtual consults.
These tips were compiled with the help of Senior Consultants Geremy Miller (Quebec), Cheryl Dalwood (Alberta) and Penny Banks (Ontario) along with Senior Consultants & Vice Presidents Corrie Fortner (Alberta) and Jeff Sodowsky (British Columbia).
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Global Philanthropic Canada is Canada’s fundraising consultancy comprised of highly experienced practitioners. With 70 + team members, we deliver professional and accessible fundraising counsel to organizations of all sectors, sizes and missions. We advocate for and believe in the power of a respectful and inclusive environment for all. We build capacity, striving to maximize the impact of your mission. We value every collaborative project with our clients, working on the ground with you, not for you. We aim to support, teach and propel you to meet and exceed your goals.
