Illinois’ Second Annual Spring Giving Day is May 3rd!

First comes #ILGive for #GivingTuesday, then comes #ILGiveCommunity! Forefront created #ILGiveCommunity to foster year-round generosity, giving, and volunteering in communities throughout Illinois.

This year, #ILGiveCommunity kicks off at midnight on Thursday, May 3^rd  and runs 24 hours, just like #ILGive for #GivingTuesday. Through Forefront’s #ILGive platform, nonprofits can register, raise awareness, and engage their communities in their cause!

#ILGiveCommunity is a great way to boost your organization’s fundraising efforts. Our 2016 #ILGiveCommunity participants raised an average of more than $1,100. The giving day provides nonprofits the opportunity to reach potential new donors and provides the type of visibility that only a statewide effort of this type can generate – especially during a slow period on the fundraising calendar. To make the most of these efforts your organization should ensure that your completed profile is on the site well ahead of #ILGiveCommunity Day.

Foundations can get involved too! Please contact Suzy Lee, Director of Strategic Initiatives, to chat about why and how to engage your grantees in #ILGiveCommunity.

Registration for nonprofits is open through Thursday, April 12. Visit ILGive.com, search for your organization by name or EIN. If you do not see your organization listed, click Add My Organization, then create a profile. Once you register, you’ll get access to the best practices in digital fundraising and learn how to use them for a successful ILGive campaign. Attend a live webinar, or access our library of on-demand content.

Resources: Get customizable posters, social media graphics, Snapchat filters, and email marketing templates to help get the word out about your campaign.

#ILGiveCommunity Email List: After your organization registers, we add you to the #ILGiveCommunity education email series. You’ll get one email each week that will take you step-by-step through building a successful giving day campaign. We’ll send essential steps and deadlines, creative campaign ideas, digital strategy best practices, media and PR tips, and ways to plot, prep, and execute your campaign.

Instagram Takeovers: Registered organizations get the chance to take over the #ILGive Instagram account for one of the days leading up to #ILGiveCommunity! It’s a great way to promote your campaign, your cause, and to get some new eyes on your organization’s social media channels.

The #ILGive team is here to answer questions and support you and your #ILGiveCommunity campaign. Don’t hesitate to reach out.

Suzy, Kathleen, and Emma

The #ILGive Team