Giving Tuesday is a “global generosity movement” with a simple but powerful goal: to encourage people to do good. This year, Giving Tuesday falls on Tuesday, 3 December. However, Giving Every Tuesday asks people to do good 52 times a year with a series of weekly opportunities to come together, give, volunteer, and demonstrate kindness.
Giving Tuesday can be a big day for charities. However, smaller or start-up charities often find it difficult to stand apart from large organisations with global name recognition and reach. And we all know that every cause, issue, and culture is important, no matter its size.
As you plan for Giving Tuesday, consider adding branded merchandise to your fundraising campaigns. Seemingly small items—like charity merchandise like badges, keyrings, and reusable drinkware—can help you engage new supporters, drive donations, and raise the stature of your charity and your cause. Here, we share a few tips on how to design and distribute merchandise that will take your Giving Tuesday campaign to the next level.
Why Fundraising Merchandise Can Make a Difference for Your Charity
As we stated earlier, every cause and issue is important, no matter your budget or how well-known your story is. Charity fundraising merchandise is an especially powerful tool for smaller charities. Here’s just a few reasons why.
Walking advertisements: Charity merchandise builds visibility and recognition. Charity merchandise is an effective awareness-building tool because of its inherent visibility. The most popular merchandise—including t-shirts, badges, and tote bags—are all highly functional, eye-catching beacons that broadcast important messages about your small charity.
Emotional value: Charity merchandise fosters deeper connections with donors. Long-term donor relationships are key to the sustainability and success of any charity, small or large. Gifting well-designed, thoughtful, and exclusive merchandise to your supporters, especially first-time givers, can help your donors feel appreciated and seen. And this can lead to recurring donations and fruitful, long-term relationships!
You belong here: Charity merchandise creates a sense of community. Think about some of the most iconic representations of a charity, like the yellow Marie Curie Daffodil. The reason these designs are so powerful is because they give supporters a sense of belonging to a movement or cause that is larger than the individual themselves. It feels good to support a good cause, and fundraising merchandise is a positive, visual way to bring your supporters into this community. (And you don’t have to have the global appeal of the yellow daffodil; start small and build your community over time!)
Choosing the Right Merchandise for Your Campaign
But there’s so many options! How do I get started? Don’t worry; we get this question a lot. Here are a few ideas to help you take the first step.
- Focus on quality over quantity. You don’t need to launch your merchandise line with a long list of products. Instead, focus on a few high-quality, meaningful products that align with your mission.
- Opt for budget-friendly, impactful items. Here’s a welcome insight from our experts: Some of the most popular and effective merchandise is also the most affordable! For example, badges, keyring, and tote bags are functional, visible representations of your small charity that won’t break your budget.
- Consider mission-driven merchandise. Create merchandise that aligns with your unique charity. This includes the design (incorporating your logo, font, and colours into your products) as well as your cause (for example, if you run an environmental charity, opt for eco-friendly merchandise alternatives).
And, of course, you can trust the friendly experts! At Rocket Charities, our design professionals are just a phone call away. We’d love to hear the story of your charity and brainstorm merchandise ideas together.
Creative Strategies to Incorporate Branded Merchandise into Your Giving Tuesday Campaign
How will you incorporate your new merchandise into your Giving Tuesday campaign? One proven approach is to generate a sense of urgency by offering limited-edition or exclusive products that are only available on or around Giving Tuesday. This strategy not only incentivizes people to purchase your products, it also creates a sense of community around a shared activity.
Selling merchandise can raise significant funds for your small charity. However, another approach is to gift a special product as a thank you for either first-time givers or recurring donors. You can also offer a gift for people who donate above a certain amount, which encourages larger single contributions.
Another fun approach is to create a merchandise-based social media challenge for Giving Tuesday. For example, encourage donors to share photos of themselves wearing your charity-branded clothing on Giving Tuesday, and enter everyone who posts a photo into a drawing for another item, a gift certificate, or perhaps a chance to visit your small charity for a meet-and-greet.
Leveraging Your Merchandise for Online and Offline Promotion
How will you let people know about your branded merchandise? One idea is to partner with local influencers. Think about your audience and who might resonate with your potential supporters. Reach out to micro-influencers to share your story and see if they’ll join your cause to promote your Giving Tuesday campaign via social media. You might be surprised at how receptive influencers are to supporting something they believe in!
Another idea is to encourage peer-to-peer fundraising. Think about your biggest supporters—perhaps some of your big or early donors or the ones who seem to be the most vocal. Equip them with the tools they need to champion your cause with their own networks. This might be a “share kit” with sample social media posts, graphics, and posters. (And thank them for their efforts with a special merchandise gift, like a branded t-shirt.)
Lastly, don’t forget the power of email! The average person spends two hours a day checking and sending email. Feature your fundraising merchandise prominently in your email campaigns, and provide clear, easy links for people to buy your products or get involved with your Giving Tuesday campaign.
We hope this post illuminates the power of charity fundraising merchandise. Well-designed (and affordable) products can help your small charity stand out this Giving Tuesday, or any time of year. Remember, the holidays are just around the corner—now is the time to plan your campaigns and design your products to end the year strong.
We’re here to help. In fact, we offer your small charity free consultation and design services to create an amazing custom item for Giving Tuesday. Get in touch with us today!