Communications Timeline

View Our Comprehensive Communication Guide to Prepare You Week by Week!


Major Milestones


Pre-campaign calendar photo

PRE-CAMPAIGN KICK-OFF


The Human Race Team will:

  • Encourage nonprofits to sign up for the Human Race
  • Network with and recruit local community nonprofit leaders to expand and amplify the Human Race’s message to nonprofits, donors, and other general supporters.


You should:

  • Sign up for the Human Race and customize your profile
  • Assemble your Human Race team and involve them in planning how your Human Race campaign will complement your annual fundraising strategy.
  • Attend a training or webinar to learn about the Human Race, how to promote your the Human Race campaign, and how to recruit and utilize peer-to-peer fundraisers.
  • Discover all the resources available for you to use in your nonprofit toolkit (email marketing, social media posts, graphics, planning guide, and more!)
  • Recruit fundraising champions for your campaign. You can use your Board, volunteers, or staff!
  • Craft your campaign story. How are you celebrating the Human Race? How will you use the funds raised during the Human Race? Why should donors give to you in support of the Human Race?
  • Add a teaser or save the date block to your website and outgoing e-newsletters.

FUNDRAISING BEGINS: Start-up 3/25- 4/5


The Human Race Team will:

  • Work with local newspapers, radio stations, and other media outlets to continue spreading the word to a wider audience about the Human Race six week campaign.
  • Continue offering trainings to nonprofits participating in the Human Race on fundraising best practices.
  • Develop content for nonprofit’s participating in the Human Race to use, and for use on #humanracesc social media pages, Facebook and Twitter.

You should:

  • Launch your campaign story- Ensure your donors know you are participating in the Human Race. Download the email and social media tools in the Nonprofit Toolkit and begin using them.
  • Test your giving account- Make a test donation to make sure you understand the process.

Your Message:

  • To Fundraisers: We can do this team. Let's start strong! "Join our team" to help make our community thrive. Remind them of incentive prizes.
  • To Donors: We've have kicked off the Human Race! Our agency is raising X amount of $ to create X type of impact in our community. Make change in our community by donating today at humanracesc.org.


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FUNDRAISING Week Two 4/6- 4/12


The Human Race Team will:

  • Provide more resources to local community nonprofit leaders to expand and amplify the Human Race’s message to nonprofits, donors, and other general supporters.
  • Continue promoting the Human Race with the support of local media and our community.


You should:

  • Send out a week 2 email and continue sharing social media posts with your supporters! Download the Human Race graphics from the Downloadable Graphics Folder to make sure your messages stand out!
  • Host a fundraising champion party to teach your fundraising champions best practices on fundraising!
  • Promote- Spread the word through online channels, email materials to potential fundraisers, and chat about the campaign every where you go.
  • Send email to your supporters to keep them informed about your week two progress.

Your Message:

  • To Fundraisers: "Walk for change with us. Join our Human Race team today!" Share your first week success. Provide them with support, tips, and tricks. Create social media posts to give to your fundraisers.
  • To Donors: "Are you following us on (insert your agencies social media)? We're one week into our 6-week fundraising drive!" Share a transformative story about your organization with donors. "Donate today at humanracesc.org!"

FUNDRAISING Week Three 4/13- 4/19


The Human Race Team will:

  • Heavily promote the Human Race to all media outlets across the region.
  • Finalize partnerships with local businesses to benefit every nonprofit participating in the Human Race.

Comm-guide-calendar-week-3

You should:

  • Post on social media regularly about the Human Race, using the hashtag #humanracesc
  • Email your supporters to acknowledge fundraisers, encourage sharing, and talk up progress and impact.
  • Check your GiveGab Admin Dashboard daily and make sure you are thanking donors in real-time either on social media or via email.
  • Target your outreach- Make targeted phone calls to donors and email those on your list who haven't donated yet. Find ways to hone and expand your outreach list.

Your Message:

  • To Fundraisers: "We're halfway there! We have raised X amount of $ towards our goal." Acknowledge your fundraisers on social media, via e-news, or other modes of communication.
  • To Donors: "We're halfway there! We have raised X amount towards our goal and you can help to keep that number rising. Donate today at humanracesc.org."

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FUNDRAISING Week Four 4/20- 4/26


The Human Race Team will:

  • Heavily promote the Human Race to all media outlets across the region and heavily promote on social media
  • Host community or virtual events in support of the Race.


You should:

  • Post on social media regularly about the Human Race, using the hashtag #humanracesc
  • Email your supporters and donors with additional details about the Human Race. How and why they should give? Share transformative stories about your organization.
  • Share social media posts and graphics with your fundraisers and encourage them to share.

Your Message:

  • To Fundraisers: Share your highest donations and a success story! Provide them with support, tips, and tricks
  • To Donors: "Because of YOU we are having amazing success! We have raised X amount towards our goal and you can help to keep that number rising. Donate today at humanracesc.org."

FUNDRAISING Week Five 4/27- 5/3


The Human Race Team will:

  • Heavily promote the Human Race to all media outlets across the region
  • Provide daily support to participating agencies and continue our communication and encouragement.

You should:

  • Post on social media regularly about the Human Race, using the hashtag #humanracesc
  • Email your supporters with additional details about your success and how they can continue to support you.
  • Host a virtual party with FB live stream and encourage participants to jump on board with our 40th Anniversary 80's theme.

Your Message:

  • To Fundraisers: "Our virtual finish line is in sight. Keep up the good work. We are almost there and we can't wait to celebrate with you on May 9th. "
  • To Donors: "Our virtual finish line is in sight. Here's how you help us win big this week and take home the weekly incentive prize of X. "

HOMESTRETCH (Week Six) 5/4- 5/9


The Human Race Team will:

  • Heavily promote the Human Race to all media outlets across the region.


You should:

  • Post on social media daily letting folks know it is the final week to give. Use the hashtag #humanracesc
  • Email your supporters- Let them know we are in the homestretch and now is the time to dig deep and reach out for that final support.
  • Finalize your last day of the Human Race Giving Campaign plans
  • Finalize final day roles and staffing plan
  • Thank your donors again, inform them of progress, and invite them to a virtual celebration on May 9th.

Your Message:

  • To Fundraisers: "You are the change-makers of your community! Look how far we have come. Only 5 days left to raise X amount of $. Let's do this and then celebrate on Saturday, May 9th! "
  • To Donors: "Our final day is nearly here. Because of you we have raised X. Join us to celebrate on May 9th and let's cross that fundraising finish line together."

FINAL DAY OF THE GIVING CAMPAIGN- May 9, 2020


The Human Race Team will:

  • Heavily promote the Human Race to all media outlets across the region
  • Provide FINAL day incentives to highlight all nonprofits and their supporters

You should:

  • Post on social media regularly about the final day, share inspiring photos, using the hashtag #humanracesc
  • Email your supporters with an update about how they can still help your the Human Race campaign today.
  • Thank your supporters in real-time on social media, in emails, or give them a call!
  • Celebrate!

Your Message:

  • To Fundraisers: "Congrats! Because of you, we have successfully made it to the final day and together we will cross our fundraising finish line." - Now is the time to remind them they have until midnight for one last push to supporters.
  • To Donors: Today is the day! Together we can accomplish so much. We have until Midnight to reach our fundraising finish line. Donate now at humanracesc.org."

POST-GIVING CAMPAIGN


The Human Race Team will:

  • Share statistics from the Human Race, including nonprofit success stories, and describe the powerful change that will happen as a result of the generous donations to local nonprofits.


You should:

  • Share the results from your Human Race participation and what those results mean.
  • Thank your donors and let them know exactly what their donations mean for your program.
  • Send handwritten notes to your fundraising champions and your Board for their assistance.
  • Send periodic updates on how the donations you received are being used. Keep your donors engaged by letting them know how their money is benefiting your organization and your cause.
  • Engage with your donors on GiveGab after the Human Race by posting volunteer opportunities, fundraising, and hosting events!