1. 05.05.2015
TransformingSouthCentralTexasOnegiftataTime
READY.
SET.
GO!
MAKING 2015 A SUCCESS: WHAT WE LEARNED LAST YEAR
MONEY RAISED SET A GOAL START EARLY
Following the success of The Big Give S.A. in 2014, during which 467
nonprofits raised $2.09 million from 21,361 donations, the San Antonio
Nonprofit Council surveyed participating organizations to gain insights into
best practices. The following results offer key findings to help maximize
success in the 2015 campaign.
Whether a large or small organization, the keys to fundraising success lie in
setting a goal, starting early, attending workshops, investing time, getting
your board involved and leveraging social media.
• More than half of all large and
a quarter of all small agencies
finished in the top quarter of
all participants.
• 44.7% of small organizations and
60% of large organizations felt
that prize money was an incentive
for their organization.
• Organizations that set a goal had
a much more involved board, felt
the event increased awareness for
the organization, and reported an
increase in social media following.
• Agencies that set a goal were 3x
more likely to finish in the top
quarter of all participants.
• Organizations that set a goal
were 60% more likely to report an
increase in their following on social
media following than those who
did not set a goal.
• 50% of organizations that
enrolled in January finished in the
top 25% of all participants while
85% of those who enrolled in
April finished in the bottom 25%.
• The only agencies to reach 300
donors, enrolled by the first week
of February.
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2. • Organizations that attended at least one workshop
were 3X more likely to finish in the top half of all
participants in regards to money raised.
• Organizations with an operating budget of $600,000
or more were 20% more likely to attend a workshop
than those with a budget under $600,000.
• 46% of agencies that attended at least one
workshop finished in top quarter of all participants
in regards to number of donors.
• Organizations that felt
social media played a big
role in their Big Give S.A.
campaign were 2x more
likely to be in the top quarter
of all participants in terms of
money raised.
• More than 50% of organizations that invested 30
hours+ finished in the top quarter.
• Agencies that invest 20 or more hours into
The Big Give S.A. 2014 were 52% more likely to
report an increase in followers on social media.
• 71.5% small and 44.1% large invested 0-19 Hours.
10.7% small and 23.7% large invested 20-29 Hours.
17.8% small and 32.2% large invested 30+ Hours.
• Organizations that reported having an engaged
board were 4x more likely to finish in the top
quarter of participants.
• 70% of agencies that set a goal had an engaged
board versus 39% of agencies without a goal.
WWW.THEBIGGIVESA.ORG
ATTEND WORKSHOPS
ENGAGE YOUR BOARD
INVEST TIME
LEVERAGE SOCIAL MEDIA
• Organizations that felt social
media played a big role in their
Big Give S.A. campaign were 3x
more likely to finish in the top
third of all participants in terms
of numbers of donors.
• Large organizations were
20% more likely to place an
importance on social media than
small organizations.
*Report prepared by Stephanie Bristow and Emily Wilkins.