Giving Days like #ILGiveCommunity help your nonprofit grow its donor base, increase donation amounts, and introduce itself to a broader audience in the community and beyond. The set time frame and matching funds and prizes made available by the sponsoring organization also heightens awareness, builds media and social buzz, and creates a sense of urgency to give NOW.

Due to the success of #ILGive for Giving Tuesday, Forefront, along with local Community Foundations, will host a 24-hour online fundraising event from 6pm on May 30th through 6pm on May 31st.

If your Illinois nonprofit is not registered yet for #ILGiveCommunity, there's still time!

Below are 6 advantages of participating in a giving day, which will help you communicate the benefits of involvement to your board and stakeholders.

1. Amplify impact through participating with the larger, local community.
Giving days are about community and collaboration, not competition. Everyone participates and celebrates each other’s wins. The general cheer encourages people to get involved and give. They like seeing organizations that work together for the greater good.

2. Learn from and collaborate with others.
When you register on ILGive.com, you'll receive an invitation to our private Facebook group for nonprofits participating in #ILGiveCommunity. The group also includes some veteran-fundraisers from #ILGive for #GivingTuesday. The group gives you a chance to talk with peers and colleagues about what worked, what didn't work, and get real advice from real people. 

3. Grow exposure – get new donors
A giving day is an opportunity to acquire new donors or, at least, reach a new audience. The #ILGive Team will be using both grassroots-style canvassing, sophisticated digital ad buys, as well as good old fashioned media outreach to get as many eyes as possible on ILGive.com. Get your nonprofit profile set up so potential donors can give!

4. Energize your current supporters
Leverage your best advocates to do peer-to-peer campaigns for your organization. These supporters create their own fundraising page as a spin off of your main #ILGiveCommunity profile. Your fundraisers will share that page with their network to expand the reach of your organization and bring in new donors. These individuals are passionate about the work you do, and use their voice to make a difference! 

5. Leverage cutting-edge technology and online resources.
By joining #ILGiveCommunity, you'll get to leverage best-in-class giving platforms, tools, and educational resources —without breaking the budget. Our donation form is both mobile and user-friendly — donors can give to your organization in 3-5 clicks. It’s also a great method for activating younger donors who prefer online giving and for experiencing what newer giving platforms can do for you.

6. Raise more funds so you can amplify the good you do
Money is important. It keeps your nonprofit going and enables it to have a greater impact in the community. During times of state budget woes and threats of federal budget cuts, #ILGiveCommunity — and its goal to increase individual giving in Illinois —couldn't be more important.  

Giving days are good for your nonprofit. They boost awareness, join you with the local community, and increase donations. See the results for yourself! Join the movement at ILGive.com.
 

Register for #ILGiveCommunity by May 10!