This essential organization\u2019s mission is to \u201cimprove and extend the lives of the millions born with heart defects through education, advocacy, and the promotion of research.\u201d They offer many programs, services, and activities for patients across the country.<\/p>\n
To raise the money needed to continue providing these essential services, Development Manager Jessica DiGiovanni appeals to donors, volunteers, and service recipients through annual appeals and volunteer fundraising.<\/p>\n
One large online fundraising campaign spearheaded by Jessica is their annual #GivingTuesday effort. In 2017, ACHA exceeded their wildest expectations and raised an astounding $19,332 in 24-hours.<\/p>\n
How did they do it?<\/p>\n
We asked Jessica to break down the campaign\u2019s highlights, and this is what we learned.<\/p>\n
Campaign Snapshot<\/h2>\n
![\"ACHA\"](\"https:\/\/causevox.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/ACHA-1-1024x446.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
Fundraising Staff Size:<\/strong> 2<\/p>\n Total Raised:<\/strong> $19,332<\/p>\n Goal: <\/strong>$10,000<\/p>\n Length of Campaign:<\/strong> 24-hours<\/p>\n Jessica, who has served in the development department at ACHA for eight years, has always faced a major fundraising challenge: combating public awareness and understanding for CHD. She believes that CHD isn\u2019t on many donor\u2019s radars because it\u2019s widely unknown.<\/p>\n So, when it came time to choose an online fundraising platform that helped spread education and awareness about CHD to rally support, Jessica was eager to find the right fit. She discovered CauseVox, and the rest is history.<\/p>\n Now, each time she wants to start a new online fundraising effort, she simply copies the campaign over. \u201cCauseVox is an easy tool to use,\u201d she told us. \u201cIt\u2019s something I\u2019m able to use to create a peer-to-peer opportunity<\/a> and create a sense of community with our donors.\u201d<\/p>\n Jessica highlighted that CauseVox gives her donors a single channel to give, while also providing both goal and donor transparency, which appeal to prospective supporters.<\/p>\n \u201cBefore 2016, we were lucky if we raised a couple hundred dollars on #GivingTuesday. With the added perk of a matching grant and a helpful tool in CauseVox, we…were able to crush our goals the last two years,\u201d Jessica explained.<\/p>\n As she began initial preparations for 2017\u2019s #GivingTuesday campaign, Jessica chose to set a goal based on the match amount they were awarded. It was the same tactic they used in 2016 to much success.<\/p>\n \u201cPrior to this, like most organizations, we tried to drive #GivingTuesday donations through our social media channels, but did not see the momentum we were able to capture with the added match and a single channel to donate,\u201d she explained.<\/p>\n To promote the campaign, ACHA used a mixed media approach, including Facebook and email blasts. Jessica found that regular email blasts throughout the day beginning in the morning, supplemented with three to four Facebook posts, is sufficient.<\/p>\n By early evening, she transitions all their communications to the CauseVox blog feature<\/a> to ensure that active campaign participants can follow the progress and read time-stamped updates in real time.<\/p>\n Through meticulous planning, institutional knowledge, and following giving day best practices, ACHA nearly doubled their #GivingTuesday goal. Here are some of the ways Jessica rallied supporters and raise money.<\/p>\n As you may recall, ACHA based their fundraising goal on their match amount. This helps motivate donors to give because each gift is leveraged. \u201cWe offer two campaigns throughout the year that have matching opportunities, and they are our largest annual fund appeals,\u201d Jessica explained.<\/p>\n For 2017, ACHA secured a $10,000 match, which makes the grand total for this 24-hour blitz an astounding $29,332!<\/p>\n As the end of the giving day draws near, Jessica always notices an uptick in giving, which is why she continues to update supporters through CauseVox. \u201cWe see more momentum when we\u2019re a couple thousand dollars away, and right after we\u2019ve met our goal,\u201d she told us.<\/p>\n She credits the progress meter for helping build excitement and suspense.<\/p>\n According to Jessica, one of the highlights of using CauseVox is the ability \u201cto create a sense of community,\u201d particularly through the donor listing. When donors get to see the names and donation amounts of their peers, they are immediately drawn into the tight-knit community.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat\u2019s been great about using CauseVox for our #GivingTuesday campaign is that our webpage becomes a one-stop-shop place for people to learn about ACHA and our campaign, make a donation, and check back for updates throughout the day,\u201d Jessica told us.<\/p>\n She believes that CauseVox has allowed her to decrease the amount of email marketing and social posts she makes throughout the day. Instead, she focuses her updates on the CauseVox blog feature.<\/p>\n Jessica advises other nonprofits who are preparing a #GivingTuesday campaign to set a goal and stick to it. She also suggests perfecting your communications and making them more meaningful throughout the day.<\/p>\n For 2018\u2019s #GivingTuesday campaign, Jessica has plans to create a top donor listing meant to increase major gifts of $1,000 or more. In addition, she told us: \u201cWe are in the process of securing a matching grant for our #GivingTuesday campaign and will be using CauseVox again. We are excited to create another record-breaking campaign this year. \u201c<\/p>\n When nonprofits like ACHA succeed, we all do! We are so thankful that Jessica chose to work with CauseVox to inspire, activate, and rally her donors, and we\u2019re excited to see what happens in November 2018.<\/p>\n If you\u2019re interested in increasing your exposure and boosting your #GivingTuesday results, consider CauseVox.<\/p>\n Unlike expensive and confusing fundraising tools, CauseVox is purposely simply while providing flexibility for your unique fundraising needs and personalization to your organization\u2019s brand without the help of IT or web developer.<\/p>\n This makes it easy for you to manage relationships with your supporters and create personalized fundraising sites, peer-to-peer campaigns, and donation pages<\/a>, all in one place, while also providing a remarkable giving experience your supporters will love.<\/p>\nChoosing The Right Platform<\/h2>\n
Planning & Promoting #GivingTuesday<\/h2>\n
![\"ACHA\"](\"https:\/\/causevox.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Blog.jpg\")
<\/p>\nPillars To Success<\/h2>\n
Promoting The Matching Goal<\/h3>\n
Capitalizing On Momentum<\/h3>\n
![\"ACHA\"](\"https:\/\/causevox.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/meter.jpg\")
<\/p>\nBuilding a Sense of Community<\/h3>\n
![\"ACHA\"](\"https:\/\/causevox.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/ACHA-donor-list-1024x485.jpg\")
<\/p>\nReflection & Moving Forward<\/h2>\n