All sorts of nonprofit organizations rely on the world’s most popular constituent relationship management platform, Salesforce, for their data and donor management needs. If your organization is already on Salesforce, you have to make sure you’re taking full advantage of this powerful CRM platform.

Plenty of nonprofits recognize the benefits of using a CRM to record, manage, and analyze their data in smarter ways, but fewer realize that using donation apps that integrate with Salesforce can help this flexible platform have an even greater impact on your fundraising and stewardship efforts.

If your organization is in the market for new online donation software, it can be tricky choosing between a Salesforce-integrated donation app and other tools that don’t integrate with Salesforce. There are benefits to each, but donation apps that integrate with Salesforce tend to win out for a few reasons. Let's walk through why, starting with the basics:

While the numbers are still being talied, early estimates from last week's #GivingTuesday suggest $400 million was raised in the United States alone. How did it go for your nonprofit? We know you’re probably now in the thick of your end-of-year/holiday fundraising campaign, but we want you to take a minute to think about how you are giving back to your donors, as they continue to give to you. How are you showing gratitude this holiday season for all that your community has done to support your mission?

As with everything else you have done this year to create smart, successful fundraising campaigns, showing thanks and giving back to your donors requires good storytelling and excellent data. Instead of using these two key elements to develop appeals, compelling copy, and determine prospects, you can apply them to showing your donors what they have helped you to achieve this year, and how the important work you’re doing would not be possible without them -- now, and in the future.

Here are a few ideas:

It. Is. On. There are only 27 days until we reach what has become one of the biggest fundraising days in the year, for nonprofits of all sizes - #GivingTuesday. In 2017, organizations raised $300M+ online in one day, through 2.5M gifts from people in 150 countries around the world. The numbers keep growing every year as this annual giving day has become nearly the official launch of the end-of-year giving season for charities big and small.

Are you ready for it?!

Let’s take a step back though -- this post isn’t just about if you’re ready for #GivingTuesday. What we really want to know is -- what are you doing after November 27? How are you using #GivingTuesday as a jumping off point for your overall EOY fundraising strategy?

If your answers to these questions are “I don’t know” or “I’m not sure,” don’t worry -- we’re here to help. Because we want to make sure that all the work you’re putting into this one day isn’t over at midnight; we want you to reap the benefits through December 31 and beyond. There are a few ways you can take advantage of #GivingTuesday and all the attention it garners and use that goodwill within your community to keep the good going through the end of the year. Here are a few ideas:

Last month, we kicked off fall by outlining key segments of your donor list to prioritize in advance of holiday giving and end-of-year (EOY) giving season. Hopefully, you’ve got some of that plan underway, as we are staring EOY in the face, with #GivingTuesday just two months away.

But there’s another important group of supporters that we should not dismiss, and depending on your community, they may make up a considerable portion of it, too -- and that’s the non-donors. These folks aren’t just the ones on your email list who haven’t made a gift; it’s also people who follow you on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram, who may have attended an event or volunteered, signed a petition, or taken some other sort of action that places them on the ladder of engagement. So we’re talking hundreds, or more likely, thousands of people that could become donors to your cause.

With the clock ticking, how can we bring these non-donors up another step on the ladder, and convert them into givers? We’ve shared a few ideas below that require all your hats: storyteller/communicator, fundraiser, and data geek/techie.

Whether the leaves are already turning and the temperatures are cooling or you’re still blasting the AC, it’s time to acknowledge that we are entering the final season of the year...and we don’t mean back-to-school. September officially kicks off the sprint toward the holiday and end-of-year giving season for nonprofits, which for many organizations begins now with the ever-growing and uber-successful #GivingTuesday (on November 27 this year).

In 2017, the sixth annual #GivingTuesday raised $274 million for nonprofits, a 50% increase over 2016. And in general, one third of annual giving occurs in December, and 11-12% of that happens in the final three days of the year. So it’s pretty clear that this is where the money is at -- and where your focus should be right now.

But whether you’ve got your campaign plan all nailed out or you’re just getting started (it’s okay, many nonprofits don’t even get started planning for EOY until October), we want to know -- how will prioritize your donors? Have you taken a look at your data to determine the best donor prospects that will help you achieve your holiday/EOY goals?

If the answer is “no,” or even “maybe?” then it’s time to figure that out now before you get too much farther. Given how chaotic this time of year can be, and how much effort goes into EOY campaigns, it’s essential that you use your resources effectively, and data is your friend in this case. While we’re not saying that you shouldn’t prepare messaging and campaign materials for your entire supporter list and the general public, we are saying that you should put a considerate amount of research, creativity, and development into crafting the best appeals for your strongest prospects.

What do we mean by this? We’ve outlined a few donor segments to explore within your mind palace, er, database, to help you hone in on the ones most likely to help you get to the finish line by the end of the year.