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Micro-Donations Setup

Not every donor wants to fill out a long form or attend a gala. Many just want to give in the moment—right from their phone. Micro-donations via SMS and social media make that possible. This playbook helps you remove friction and capture those moments of generosity, whether it’s $2 or $20.

Done right, small gifts can lead to big relationships.

Overview​

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Goal: Make giving feel effortless—right when inspiration strikes.

  • 💡 Key Insight: Most donors scroll before they give. Meeting them where they are (Instagram, Facebook, text) unlocks new opportunities.
  • ⚡ Strategy: Use SMS shortcodes and social “Donate” buttons with automated thank-you responses.
  • 📊 Metric to Watch: Number of new micro-donors acquired per month. Target 10–15% monthly growth.
📱 Step 1: Choose Your Channel

  • Pick one or two starting points:

    • SMS giving platform (e.g. GiveLively, Tithe.ly, Snowball)
    • Facebook or Instagram “Donate” buttons
    • Link-in-bio platforms with donation options (e.g. Linktree, Beacons)

  • Focus on low-friction entry points—no login or form overload.

💬 Step 2: Set Up Text-to-Give

  • Choose a simple, memorable shortcode (e.g. Text “HOPE” to 707070).

  • Test the entire experience:

    • How fast does it process?
    • What confirmation is sent?
    • How does the thank-you message feel?

  • Include a call-to-action in newsletters, events, social posts, and printed materials.

🤖 Step 3: Automate the Thank-You Journey

  • Send an instant thank-you text or email that:

    • Acknowledges the gift
    • Shows the impact (e.g. “You just funded 3 meals!”)
    • Invites them to join your newsletter or follow your work

  • Use tools like:

    • Zapier or Make.com for automation
    • Email tools like Mailchimp or ConvertKit to segment micro-donors
📈 Step 4: Track & Celebrate Micro-Giving

  • Track:

    • Number of new micro-donors/month
    • Repeat givers after 30 days
    • Most effective channels (e.g. Instagram stories vs. Facebook posts)

  • Highlight micro-giving wins:

    • “Thanks to 134 micro-donors this month, we were able to [insert impact].”
    • Social proof builds momentum.

AI Prompts​

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Use this prompt to generate compelling social donation copy:

You are a nonprofit fundraising copywriter helping grow micro-donations via social media and SMS.

Please write 5 short social posts (Twitter or Instagram-style) to encourage small, one-time gifts. Each should:

- Be emotionally engaging but not guilt-driven
- Include a clear CTA (e.g. “Tap to give $5” or “Text HOPE to 707070”)
- Use plain, friendly language
- Highlight impact in simple terms (“$5 = clean water for 1 child”)

Keep it short, scannable, and designed for mobile viewing.