Donor walls are a great way to show appreciation to donors and demonstrate the impact of their contributions, which can aid in donor retention and acquisition. They provide a tangible way to thank and recognize donors for their support, while also creating a sense of community and allowing donors to show off their commitment to the organization.

What is a Donor Wall?

A donor recognition wall is a permanent display honoring an organization’s generous supporters, which can take the form of an immersive, interactive experience. Nonprofits, universities, medical facilities, and faith-based organizations are among those that create these walls to recognize major donors, corporate sponsors, and major contributors. The cost of a donor recognition wall will depend on its size and materials used, but it’s considered a critical investment that can improve donor retention and add a beautiful focal point to a space.

Different Types of Donor Walls

Traditional Donor Walls

Traditional donor walls are the classic option, often made of engraved metal plaques, acrylic with vinyl or etched lettering, glass, or other material-based components. They’re typically arranged in a board or giving tree. The appeal of a traditional donor wall is in the art-like overall aesthetic and the luxury of tactile donor names. These are a good option for organizations with low volumes of donors to recognize. Updating the list of donors can be moderate in cost, and the initial investment is less than a digital donor wall.

Digital Donor Walls

Digital donor walls are a more modern approach, made of a screen or a series of screens. They can display a dynamic amount of names with many giving levels and types of giving. Videos, photos, and other multimedia elements can be added to the screen(s) in real-time. They’re great for organizations with a high volume of donors to recognize or that want to showcase their history, mission statements, ‘Why I Give stories’, donor highlights, impact stories, and more. There’s no cost to add or update the list of donors, but the initial investment is more than a traditional donor wall.

Hybrid Donor Walls

Hybrid donor walls are the best of both worlds. They combine the art-like cabinetry found in traditional donor walls and blend it with the ease of use and magnificence of digital donor walls. This provides a more interactive and engaging experience for donors and visitors, while still providing a tangible way to recognize and honor donors. The initial investment for a hybrid digital donor wall is the most expensive option, but there is generally no cost to update the list of donors.

Virtual Donor Walls

Virtual donor walls are accessible through nonprofit websites, leveraging much of the same software technology as a digital donor wall. These can be used to keep recognition up to date and leveraged for online marketing strategies. They are particularly useful for organizations with no physical or public presence that other donor walls would require. Updating the donor lists has no cost, and the initial cost to develop a virtual donor wall is a fraction of the cost of other digital or hybrid solutions. Virtual donor walls are a great way to recognize and honor donors online, making them a cost-effective solution for organizations that don’t have the budget for traditional or digital donor walls.

Benefits of A Donor Wall

Culture of Philanthropy-Building

Donor walls are a powerful tool for building a culture of philanthropy within an organization. They provide a tangible way to steward and thank donors for their support, while also creating a sense of community and shared purpose. By displaying donor names and contributions in a public space, donor walls demonstrate the impact of individual giving and encourage others to get involved.

Donor Acquisition and Retention

In addition to recognizing donors, donor walls also serve as an important tool for donor acquisition and retention. They provide a way for potential donors to see the impact of giving and understand the value of their contributions. They also help to build a sense of community and shared purpose among donors, which can encourage them to continue giving and even increase their level of support.

Donor Engagement

Donor walls are not just a display of appreciation, but they’re also a way to engage donors and encourage them to continue their support. They provide a tangible representation of the impact of giving, and help donors to see the value of their contributions. By recognizing donors in a public space, donor walls create a sense of community among donors and build a sense of shared purpose. This can encourage donors to stay connected with the organization and continue their support.

Overall, donor walls play a crucial role in building a culture of philanthropy within an organization. They provide a powerful tool for recognizing and thanking donors, encouraging giving, and promoting transparency and accountability. They are a valuable investment for any organization committed to building a strong culture of philanthropy and fostering a sense of community among donors.

Other Resources to Explore

Nonprofit Basics – Learn more about other nonprofit management essentials by checking out these expert resources.

8 Donor Engagement Strategies to Drive Nonprofit Support – Donor engagement is crucial for building a strong nonprofit organization. Take advantage of the strategies discussed in this article to boost your efforts.

Retaining Matching Gift Donors: 4+ Effective Strategies – Retaining donors in addition to acquiring new donors, offers a multitude of benefits. Explore ways to keep matching gift donors engaged with your organization.

As one of the most influential companies in the world, Google empowers charitable organizations to increase their visibility within Google Search for free through its dedicated corporate giving program called Google Ad Grants. We’ll cover everything you need to know about this program.

• What Are Google Ad Grants?
• How to Get Started With Google Ad Grants
• Make the Most of Your Google Ad Grant Budget
• Other Resources to Explore

Since Google has over 92% of the global search engine market share, you’d be remiss to turn down the free advertising money. The program can help you connect with prospects around the world without negatively impacting your marketing budget.

What Are Google Ad Grants?

The Google Ad Grants program awards organizations $10,000 worth of Google Ads credits each month. Eligible organizations use these credits to bid on keywords and promote their web content. With free access to Google’s keyword research tools, nonprofits can place compelling ads in prominent locations on Google Search results pages, connecting them with likely supporters for their cause.

Google’s program enables nonprofits to go beyond driving more meaningful website traffic. Depending on the pages you promote with the Google Grant, here’s how the Google Ad Grant can support your initiatives in more creative capacities:

• Increase revenue by sharing donation and sponsorship opportunities.
• Recruit volunteers to support your projects.
• Boost attendance for your webinars, charity races, and other events.
• Effect change through grassroots activism, petitions, and other advocacy activities.
• Inform and educate users about your cause and work.

Participants can fully leverage the program by crafting powerful ad copy combined with effective keyword research, strategic bidding strategies, and carefully-chosen landing pages.

How To Get Started With Google Ad Grants

The good news is that Google makes it straightforward to join the program. Applying for the Google Grant is a simple, multi-step process. Here’s what you’ll need to do:

1. Meet the requirements. You’ll need to agree to the program’s policies, hold valid charity status, and have a high-quality website to meet the eligibility criteria. Governmental entities, healthcare organizations, and educational institutions are automatically ineligible.
2. Register your organization with TechSoup. TechSoup partners with companies like Google to provide mission-driven organizations with free and discounted resources. Visit the TechSoup registration page and fill out the required information. They’ll get back to you with a validation token within 30 days.
3. Sign up for Google for Nonprofits. Visit Google for Nonprofits’ registration website, input your TechSoup validation token, and fill out the subsequent forms. Once you’re approved, this will unlock the Google Grants application. Plus, you’ll have access to a variety of other organizational tools and perks through Google for Nonprofits.
4. Apply for the Google Ad Grant. Log into your Google for Nonprofits account and fill out the Google Grants application. You’ll provide additional identifying information, such as your website URL and details regarding your goals with the program.

Keep an eye on your email for your invitation within the next few business days. Once you’re approved, you’ll automatically receive $329 per day to spend on your Google Ad campaigns.

Best of all, the grant will automatically renew each month. You just need to keep your account in good standing by adhering to the ongoing compliance requirements.

Make the Most of Your Google Ad Grant Budget

As with any marketing effort, you need a carefully-crafted plan to drive real results for your nonprofit. Let’s walk through some tried-and-true tips.

1. Optimize your website.

Your Google Ads will drive traffic to your website. With this in mind, you should prioritize the user experience to drive more donations, boost volunteer registrations, or achieve any other goal. Ultimately, you want users to click through your site to find a professional design that drives them to engage with your organization.

Here are a few elements of your website to consider:

• Promotable pages: Fill your site with high-quality content to promote through Google Ads. Each page should be centered around a core topic, whether it’s your donation form, volunteer registration page, or information about a major initiative.
• Mobile responsiveness: Half of all nonprofit website traffic comes from mobile devices. Mobile users will likely encounter your Google Ads, so make sure your design automatically reformats itself based on screen size.
• Security: Your website should encrypt information users share with you. Your URL should show “https” instead of “http” to offer users greater protection on your site.
• Organizational information: List your EIN somewhere on your site, preferably in your website’s footer. You might also have a page devoted to explaining your mission.

Tie all of these elements together with powerful graphic design. This will create a cohesive site that inspires users to explore your site and convert into supporters.

2. Create robust ads with compelling copy, landing pages, and ad extensions.

Optimize your ads by paying special attention to these core building blocks for your ads:

• Landing pages: These are the pages you’ll drive users to visit. Choose ones that match the user intent for your keywords and are designed to drive users to complete the desired action. For example, if you’re targeting terms like “animal rescue volunteering,” you should link to your volunteer registration page.
• Copy: Users will read this to understand the content of your landing page and determine whether it meets their needs. Ensure your ad copy is specific, concise, and strategically features keywords. You’ll also want to include a call-to-action with action verbs such as “donate,” “sign up,” or “support” to tell users what next step you want them to take.
• Ad extensions: These allow you to expand your ads with additional information. For instance, sitelink extensions allow you to link to additional landing pages on your website, while call extensions include a button that mobile users can tap to call your organization.

These will result in more compelling ads and ultimately drive more clicks and meaningful traffic to your nonprofit’s website.

3. Consider professional Google Ad Grants management.

A lot goes into managing a Google Ad Grant account between developing compelling ads and meeting ongoing requirements. The last thing you want is your account to be deactivated after not meeting the compliance requirements.

That’s where a professional Google Grants manager can step in to save the day. Turn to a professional to ease your marketing team’s workload through services like:

• Google Ad Grants applications
• Campaign development, including keyword research and ad copy development
• Landing page optimization
• Ongoing compliance and account reactivation

Professionals know what it takes to stand out on Google Search. They know the ins and outs of the program, so you can sit back and relax knowing that you’re inspiring as many prospects as possible.

Other Resources to Explore

Nonprofit Basics – Learn more nonprofit management essentials by exploring other expert resources.

Hiring a Google Grants Agency: A Guide and 5 Expert Agencies – Explore the role a professional Google Grants manager can play further. Plus, get our top agency recommendations.

What Is A Google Ad Grant? The Ultimate Guide for Nonprofits – Continue researching the basics of the Google Ad Grant with this complete guide from the experts at Getting Attention.

Volunteers are a powerful force for driving your nonprofit’s fundraisers and on-the-ground impact. Long-term volunteers, especially, can provide more than just short-term assistance with events or projects. Rather, their commitment, time, and skills can help you complete your mission and achieve your goals.

Keeping track of your supporters’ involvement is crucial for ensuring they’re in roles where their skills can be utilized and where they’re most needed. By implementing an effective volunteer management strategy, you can empower your volunteers to maximize their contributions toward your cause.

What is volunteer management?

Volunteer management encapsulates the entire process of getting volunteers involved in your mission, supervising their experience with your nonprofit, and thanking them for their efforts.

Some organizations may have more or less hands-on volunteer programs, but the need for effective management to create positive engagement remains the same.

Volunteers who walk away from your nonprofit’s events or activities with a positive experience are much more likely to stay involved in the future. The more invested they feel in your cause, the more eager they’ll be to share their contributions with their family and friends. Consider implementing volunteer management software to improve your programs and enable you to encourage long-term investment from your supporters.

What are the steps for effective volunteer management?

Successful volunteer management requires thoughtful planning, execution, and follow-through. After all, retaining your volunteers is just as essential as attracting them in the first place.

As you prepare to optimize your nonprofit’s volunteer management strategy, focus on these following steps:

1. Recruit volunteers. Dedicate a page on your website to your volunteer program. This page should include details about various volunteering opportunities, required skills and time commitments, as well as your volunteer schedule. Integrate your CRM and website so when you approve a volunteer for a position, it will automatically be reflected on your website. This can be especially useful for volunteer opportunities where you only need a set number of people.
2. Communicate. Once you’ve recruited volunteers, start establishing strong and productive relationships using your centralized communication system. Keep your volunteers educated about program updates and new opportunities. For instance, be sure to make your volunteers aware of volunteer grant programs for which they may be eligible.
3. Prepare them for success. An ideal volunteer management strategy provides volunteers with everything they need to participate and succeed. This includes training, supplying any necessary resources, and having a supervisor they can readily turn to for assistance.
4. Collect data. By gathering detailed information on volunteers’ skills and interests, you’ll be able to delegate the right tasks to the right people. Furthermore, this data can be immensely valuable when you’re measuring and reporting the positive impact of your efforts to donors, grantmakers, the community, and prospective volunteers.
5. Show appreciation. No volunteer management strategy is complete without promptly recognizing your volunteers for their dedication and hard work. Have plans in place for sending out thank you letters, spotlighting long-term contributors on social media, or even organizing appreciation events.

Your volunteers, by choosing to get involved, are already invested in your cause. With proper volunteer management, you’ll be able to nurture long-term, enthusiastic participation from your existing supporters.

What are corporate volunteer grants?

Corporate giving statistics show that 40% of Fortune 500 companies offer volunteer grant programs. Essentially, corporations with these programs provide funding to nonprofits where their employees have chosen to volunteer their time.

Don’t forget to take advantage of these opportunities by staying on top of your volunteer data and encouraging your contributors to be informed about any programs their companies may offer.

How can volunteer management software help?

Effectively overseeing the various aspects of the volunteer management process doesn’t have to be overwhelming nor time consuming. Volunteer management software is an easy, time-saving solution that allows you to devote your time and resources to the most important parts of your program.

When choosing software to help your volunteer management, look for these important features:

• Volunteer Records. The right software will enable you to create a comprehensive collection of volunteer profiles, similar to a donor database. By having all of this information accessible online, you can minimize paperwork clutter and stay organized.
• Projects and Events Calendar. Keep everyone on the same page about volunteer opportunities and events with a virtual calendar. Use this tool to optimize your productivity and create schedules for your volunteers.
• Segmentation and Communication. Your volunteer management software should offer the ability to segment your contributors into relevant categories for more effective communication. For instance, you can group volunteers based on their involvement history or skills and personalize your messages to them.
• Data Analytics. Use data collection and custom reporting tools to analyze the impact of your volunteers’ contributions. This information is vital for discovering insights into how you can improve your volunteer program in the future.

By incorporating these digital tools into your volunteer management strategy, you’ll be equipped to provide a more positive and encouraging experience for all of your most dedicated supporters.

Other Resources to Explore

Nonprofit Basics – Learn more nonprofit management essentials by exploring other expert resources.

Salesforce Nonprofit Success Pack (NPSP): A Guide – Salesforce NPSP is one of the top CRMs, and can be a strong foundation for managing your volunteer program. Discover how to leverage NPSP and what apps you can use to further flesh out your volunteer management tools.

Nonprofit Basics: Fundraising Video – A fundraising video can be a powerful way to communicate your nonprofit’s impact story and showcase your volunteers’ accomplishments. Discover how to produce a compelling fundraising video with these basics.

For nonprofit organizations, your relationships with corporations and businesses are indispensable for your financial success and growth. As you prepare for upcoming fundraising events, consider creating sponsorship levels to maximize corporate support.

Presenting sponsor packages to corporations can alleviate time constraints and financial burdens on your fundraising team, as well as encourage a wider range of businesses to engage in corporate philanthropy toward your nonprofit’s initiatives.

What are sponsorship levels?

Sponsorship levels are tiered options for businesses to contribute funds and resources for a nonprofit event. To cultivate productive nonprofit-corporation relationships, both parties must work in sync toward collective and individual goals. For instance, when businesses choose to sponsor your charity walk or gala dinner, your marketing team can offer them increased exposure and brand recognition associated with that event.

By implementing premade sponsor packages, you can strategically optimize these relationships with corporate sponsors and attract even more engagement from businesses.

With sponsorship levels, corporations can choose how deeply they’d like to get involved with your nonprofit. Depending on their financial capabilities and dedication to your cause, they can conveniently select from predetermined options. For instance, you could have three simple levels for low-range giving, mid-range giving, and high-range giving.

What are the benefits of sponsorship levels?

Establishing sponsorship levels for your next nonprofit event can be an effective way to boost fundraising revenue. These attractive packages can broadcast enticing benefits to corporations as well, compelling more businesses to contribute to your efforts.

Here are some main advantages associated with creating sponsorship levels:

• Maximized fundraising revenue. Sponsor gifts can go a long way toward achieving your event’s fundraising goals. In fact, they can be much easier to solicit and secure than individual donations from event attendees. By strategically tailoring your interactions with corporate sponsors, you can maximize their contributions.
• Increased flexibility. Make it easy for businesses to engage with your nonprofit by providing them with the flexibility to involve themselves as much or as little as they desire. Laying out the options in a clear and informative format will ensure that they can easily choose a suitable package according to their priorities and capabilities.
• Conserved time and resources. Having predetermined packages for corporations will simplify the workload for your fundraising team. Rather than having to figure out customized packages for each business that chooses to contribute to your event, you can point them toward your predetermined comprehensive sponsor packages.
• Expanded nonprofit-business relationships. There are various ways for corporations to make a positive impact toward your nonprofit’s mission. For instance, smaller businesses can help with marketing efforts or help your organization build closer relationships with your local community. By opening up options for all types of businesses to promote your cause, you’ll discover numerous benefits beyond just financial gifts.

How do I create sponsorship levels?

To get started with incorporating sponsorship levels into an effective fundraising program, first examine your current resources. Make sure you have the proper digital fundraising tools and relevant donor profile data to make informed decisions about your tiered packages.

To create an effective fundraising program with sponsorship levels, you’ll first need to evaluate your organization’s goals and resources to determine what will work best in your case.

Follow these comprehensive steps to set up sponsorship levels for your nonprofit:

1. Examine your fundraising goal. This step is fundamental to any fundraising event or activity. Determine how much of your overall financial goal should be raised from sponsorships and some of the most effective ways to allocate those corporate funds. This information will guide you through setting your sponsorship level amounts.
2. Determine your sponsorship level amounts. Refer back to your event budget and fundraising goal to make informed decisions on your sponsorship level amounts. These should be realistic figures that you can expect to reach from your corporate sponsors.
3. Incorporate benefits. For each sponsorship level, think of benefits to include for businesses who participate. These additions will incentivize those who’re still considering whether to contribute and demonstrate appreciation to those who’ve chosen a sponsor package. Primarily, you can offer marketing or event benefits such as tickets or reserved tables to your sponsors, along with tax returns for charitable activity.
4. Name your sponsor packages. Ensure that businesses have an easy way to identify each sponsorship level and its associated benefits by naming them. These could be as basic as bronze, silver, and gold. Another appealing option is to brainstorm names that reflect your nonprofit’s cause or the event’s theme.
5. Strategize your outreach. Use your newly created packages to tailor your communications and sponsorship requests. Be mindful of each business’s size and resources as you reach out about suitable sponsorship levels.

Take the time to align your team on your fundraising goals and donor expectations to create sponsorship levels that are optimized for your organization.

What are examples of benefits to include in a sponsor package?

The benefits you offer for each sponsorship level should increase with each tier. A common benefit involves featuring the business on your social media platforms and website for positive marketing. You could provide sponsors with the opportunity to name events or programs as well.

As you’re coming up with ideas, get creative! Think of ways to incentivize corporations with varying goals and values to contribute to your fundraising efforts for years to come.

Other Resources to Explore

Nonprofit Basics – Learn more nonprofit management essentials by exploring other expert resources.

Matching Gifts: The Ultimate Guide for Nonprofits in 2023 – Matching gifts are another popular way for corporations to contribute to charitable causes. This guide discusses the basics of optimizing matching gift donations for your nonprofit.

Corporate Social Responsibility: The CSR Guide for 2022  – Corporations strive to contribute to society through philanthropic efforts and programs. Learn more about corporate social responsibility and its relationship to nonprofits here.

A live auction has the potential to raise significant funds for your organization. When your auction is held live, you give donors the chance to be recognized publicly for their giving, increasing the desire to give big. Additionally, a talented auctioneer can use the time-limited nature of a live auction to your organization’s advantage to yield the highest return on investment possible. By planning your live auction strategically, you can use it to build the momentum of your event and maximize giving.

What is a Live Auction?

A live auction is the sale of items or experiences that guests at your in-person fundraising event can bid on. An auctioneer or fundraising host will sell the items to your guests live, who will bid until the highest bid is made and the auction item is won.

You can plan a live auction for hybrid or in-person audiences. There will just be a couple of key differences in how you plan your event. For virtual audiences, we recommend having an online auction.

Making Your Live Auction Strategic

Before your event, you’ll secure your live auction items by making strategic asks. Contrary to popular belief, having more items or experiences to sell doesn’t mean you’ll make more money. Focus instead on the value of the package. People’s attention is limited, so we suggest having no more than 12 packages. Many organizations have successful live auctions with only 5-6 packages. The more desirable the package, the higher price it’ll sell for.

Pro tip: Each live auction package will take about 5 minutes to sell. Be sure you have a strategy behind how long your live auction will be so that your guests stay engaged and donors keep giving.

What to Solicit for Your Live Auction

Auction packages that sell well for one audience won’t necessarily do so for another. Know your audience and know who’ll show up live and in the room for your fundraising event. Who are they, what are their interests, and what do they value?

Generally, top-selling packages include:

• Alcohol or wine collections
• Staycations and travel packages
• Unique experiences
• Dining and entertainment

Avoid items that are subjective like:

• Clothing
• High-end jewelry
• Furniture
• Art, unless your event is an art auction with an audience of art collectors

Remember, focus on making your live auction packages desirable for donors and empower yourself to get creative! You might even consider combining related experiences into one package to create incentive. For example, you could pair tickets to a local show with an upscale dining experience to give donors the feeling that they’re getting something extra special.

Choosing an Auctioneer for Your Live Auction

Not all auctioneers are a fit for nonprofit fundraising events. You’ll want to hire a professional auctioneer with a Benefit Auction Specialist (BAS) certification. Auctioneers with BAS training will understand how to sell your live auction packages using your mission language rather than relying solely on the items to sell themselves. Additionally, while some auctioneers have the skills to emcee your event, we strongly suggest you hire a separate professional for each.

A Benefit Auction Specialist will help you advance your fundraising in the following ways:

• By using pre-commits and sequencing to get the highest return on investment
• By creating momentum from donors in the room to dictate their pace rather than relying on a clocked approach
• By speaking to your mission in fun and creative ways

Live Auction Description Formats

While your Benefit Auctioneer will help you sell your live auction packages to your audience, you still have to write auction descriptions for the whole experience to be effective.

You’ll need to write separate descriptions for the following:

• Print program: Your print program should include a full description of each auction item with the most complete information and fine print.
• Script: This description should include fewer details to be more appropriate for spoken word.
• PowerPoint: This description should include photographs and just a few of the most compelling details formatted in bullet points.

Writing Your Live Auction Package Descriptions

The more details you know about each of your live auction packages, the more equipped you’ll be to write engaging and informative descriptions that stand out in your promotional materials.

Follow these best practices when writing your live auction descriptions:

• Give the auction package a clear and detailed title, such as “5 Night Getaway in Maui for 2”, instead of “A Trip to Hawaii.” The title sets donors up to know what they’re bidding on.
• Be clear about the number of people who can participate, both in your title and in your description, especially if the auction package includes travel.
• Use numerals throughout the package description for easy scanning (i.e. say “2,” not “two”).
• Specify unique details that make the package feel luxe (i.e. “Enjoy your stay at the 5-star, award-winning hotel that was recently voted as having ‘Best Views’ by Travel Oregon”).
• Include expiration dates and restrictions so donors are fully understand what they’re buying.

You’re now ready for your live auction! With some strategic planning and coaching and the help of a Benefit Auctioneer, you can have a successful live auction that helps carry your mission forward.

Additional Resources

Nonprofit Basics –  Learn more about nonprofit management essentials by exploring other expert resources.

Top 7 Ways to Keep Your Audience Engaged During the Live Auction – Get creative ideas for how to make your live auction a compelling experience for your guests.

Live Auctions: How To Raise More With Consignment Packages – Learn all about consignment packages and how they can benefit you in your live auction.