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How 10 Nonprofit Brands Roll on Twitter

by Bob Cargill May 28, 2015

Branding. Marketing. Selling. There are countless reasons why you would use social media for business. And if you’re a nonprofit organization, one of those reasons would be fundraising.

In fact, as direct mail, telemarketing and other traditional methods of acquiring and retaining donors give way to digital communications, nonprofits of all shapes and sizes are jumping on the social media bandwagon. And many of them are working the crowds on these online channels as well or even better than their commercial brethren.
Not only are they on social media to ask for financial support, they’re on it to mobilize their advocates, recognize their volunteers, illustrate their needs, report on their progress and much more.

Good for them. And good for the worthy charitable causes they represent.

Here’s how 10 nonprofit brands, in no particular order, roll on Twitter…

1. Operation Smile

The before-and-after picture included in this tweet is not just a moving testament to the transformative work done by Operation Smile – which provides cleft lip and palate repair surgeries to children – but also a powerful appeal for support.

2. Rainforest Alliance

One of the slowest moving animals on the planet, a sloth like this is easy prey for jaguars, not to mention hunters. It’s got enough decreasing its chances for survival, never mind the fact that its habitat is threatened by deforestation.

3. Robin Hood Foundation

Donors want to know that their money is being spent wisely. They want to see the results of their financial support. Which is exactly what the Robin Hood Foundation does here in less than 140 characters, recapping the year with a link back to its most recent annual report.

4. Room to Read

Don’t be surprised to see this organization that focuses on literacy and gender equality in education tweeting in near real time about a natural disaster. Because the Nepal Earthquake had such a big impact on the communities it serves, Room to Read has good reason to be all over this story, even going so far as to set up the Nepal Education Fund.

5. Gates Foundation

Add an image to a tweet and the chances of it being shared increases. Here’s a great example. Not only does the Gates Foundation illustrate the potential result of donor support, they include a personalized messaged from Bill Gates himself and not one, but two strong calls to action. No wonder they received so many RTs and favorites, not to mention how much money they may have raised for their cause with this one tweet alone.

6. Central Park Conservancy

Besides the satisfaction of knowing you’re helping others, there are many benefits to supporting a nonprofit organization. Some are exclusive to you and other donors, while others may be available to the general public as well. In this case, the Central Park Conservancy is announcing one of its many free tours. Wish I were there!

7. RED

Of course, the primary goal of most nonprofits is to raise funds. But that’s easier said than done on Twitter, as many followers, even if they support you, will shy away from a direct pitch. That’s why I like this tweet so much in which RED offers their audience a nice choice of Mother’s Day gifts in support of the fight against AIDS. It’s a win-win proposition.

8. The Jimmy Fund

Emotion goes a long way on social media. People are pumped to see the lengths others will go to fight for their rights, demand justice, provide shelter to the homeless, feed the hungry, save animals from suffering or, in The Jimmy Fund’s case, conquer cancer. Followers are more likely to get behind a cause if you can strike an inspirational chord in them.

9. Christopher’s Haven

Thanking their donors, whether it’s everyday people like you and me or wildly popular celebrities like Chris Pratt and Chris Evans, is something nonprofits can’t do enough of, as Christopher’s Haven does so perfectly in this tweet which just so happens to have been retweeted more than 2,000 times.

10. World Wildlife Fund

Having a legion of followers is one thing. Getting them to pay attention to you is another. Ask them anything. Stimulate audience engagement by posing a good question, as the World Wildlife Fund demonstrates here with this true or false pop quiz.

Note: This post, “How 10 Nonprofit Brands Roll on Twitter,” was originally published on ClickZ on May 19, 2015. To read the post there, click here.

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