Social Media Fundraising Guide for Teachers
Step 1: Plan Your Social Media Fundraising Strategy
Before you post your fundraising ask on social media, you’ve got some planning to do. To maximize donations and build your fundraising strategy, answer each of the below questions.
Who do I know who can share my posts?
One of the main benefits of fundraising on social media is that you can reach potential donors outside of your network of friends and family. To reach new people, contact your network of friends and family, and anyone who donates to your classroom page, to see if they would be willing to share your fundraising post to help spread the word.
In your social media fundraising ask, you can also tell your followers that if they don’t have the funds to donate, they can still help by sharing your post.
When should I post my fundraising ask on social media?
The best time to post a fundraising ask on social media is during a special time of year or in response to an increased need. Tell specific stories about your classroom and consider sharing photos or video. We recommend limiting your fundraising posts to a few times a year so you don’t fatigue your donors. We also recommend including your AdoptAClassroom.org link in your social media profile so it is easy to find.
Special Occasions
Plan to fundraise around special occasions and events, like holidays, your birthday, back-to-school season, Teacher Appreciation Week, or fundraising days like Giving Tuesday (the first Tuesday after Thanksgiving). These special occasions are the perfect time of year to ask for donations to your classroom because people will be more likely to donate.
In Response to an Increased Need
Do you have an increased need for classroom donations because of COVID-19, a local natural disaster, budget cuts, or another event that negatively impacted your classroom? Start using social media to fundraise right away so you can quickly reach those who want to help.
Which social media platforms should I post on?
There’s a variety of social media websites to choose from, and each platform requires a different fundraising strategy. Read our fundraising strategies below for Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, so you can choose which platforms are right for you.
Facebook
Fundraising on Facebook gives you the opportunity to make a donation ask in a variety of ways.
With Facebook you can…
- Upload a short or lengthy fundraising video
- Include one or more photos with your fundraising post
- Write a concise or detailed fundraising ask, and include a link to your AdoptAClassroom.org classroom page
- Have friends and family share your post so they can ask their network of followers to support your classroom
- Share your Facebook post to your Facebook Story to notify your followers that you’ve posted asking for donations
X (Formerly Twitter)
X (Formerly Twitter) has a 280-character limit per tweet, so you’ll want to use the limited space to make a strong but concise call to action. If done well, potential donors will click through to your AdoptAClassroom.org classroom page to learn more about your classroom needs.
With X, you can…
- Reach people outside of your followers by including relevant hashtags in your tweet so donors who want to help teachers can find your request
- Some popular teacher fundraising hashtags include #AdoptAClassroom, #ClearTheList, #AdoptATeacher, and #SupportATeacher. Make sure to keep an eye out for new, relevant teacher fundraising hashtags
- Upload a fundraising video that’s no longer than two minutes and 20 seconds
- Upload one or more photos
- Have friends and family share your post so they can ask their network of followers to support your classroom
- Research and follow popular teacher supporters
- When they tweet offering to fund teachers’ classrooms, reply to their tweet with a short fundraising ask, a photo, and a link to your AdoptAClassroom.org classroom page
Instagram
To post on Instagram, you must include a photo or video. Make sure to show off your classroom in action to capture your followers’ attention, and get them excited about investing in your classroom to support your students.
With Instagram, you can…
- Upload one or more photos
- Upload a fundraising video that’s no longer than 60 seconds
- Write a concise or detailed fundraising ask
- Make sure to include a link to your AdoptAClassroom.org classroom fundraising page in your Instagram bio, and direct donors there so they can donate to your classroom
- Image carousels can help communicate a lot of information in an engaging way. Check out an example.
- Share your Instagram post to your Instagram Story to notify your followers that you’ve posted asking for donations
- Your followers can also share your post to their Instagram Story so that their followers see your fundraising ask too
- Reach people outside of your followers by including relevant hashtags in your post, or the comment section of your post, so donors who want to help teachers can find your post
- Note: Instagram has a 30-hashtag limit per post, so choose your hashtags carefully
Step 2: Create a Fundraising Timeline
Your social media fundraising timeline is a schedule designed to provide structure and create urgency for donors. We recommend setting a short fundraising timeline of around three days, so potential donors understand that you need their support now.
A specific timeline will help you plan your fundraising strategy in advance, including:
- Writing all or most of your social posts ahead of time
- Coordinating with supporters who will help you reach your goal by spreading the word during your timeline
- Updating your AdoptAClassroom.org classroom page with your current needs
If at the end of your set timeline you don’t meet your fundraising goal, you can choose to extend your timeline to try and raise more money. You can also spend the donations you do receive as soon as you receive them, or save them until you have the exact amount you need. Remember, you have one full year to spend each donation you receive. See our terms of use for more details.
Step 3: Write your Fundraising Ask
If your AdoptAClassroom.org classroom page is up to date, you can repurpose what you wrote on your classroom page for social media. Just make your ask is personal and that your post speaks directly to your audience.
Example Fundraising Ask
Tip: Make sure to post the correct link to your AdoptAClassroom.org classroom page so donors can donate. Read our guide for teachers on how to find the link to your classroom page here.
Step 4: Include a Photo/Video in Your Social Media Post
Far too often, classroom fundraising posts fall flat because they didn’t stand out. Include a photo or a video in your post to increase the attention it receives. More attention for your post increases the chance of someone donating.
Photos
Photos from your classroom showing the need for supplies, or busy learners working hard, is a great way to grab your audiences’ attention and get them invested in helping you. Taking photos of your students and protecting their privacy can be tricky. Here is a guide for teachers on how to take photos while protecting students’ privacy.
Example Photo
If you don’t feel comfortable taking photos, we’ve created fundraising images that you can download and include in your social media posts. Check out our fundraising images here.
Video
Your video does not have to be polished or expertly edited. In fact, the more authentic and real, the better. You can use your phone to film a short video where you talk about why you need donations for school supplies. A video will help you connect with potential donors on a deeper, more personal level. When potential donors can see and hear you explaining the need and asking for support, they may be more motivated to give.
Example Video
Step 5: Post an Update
After you’ve raised some donations, make sure to post an update on social media to let your audience know you’re closer to reaching your goal. If someone sees that their donation, no matter how small or large, is helping you reach your goal, they might be even more willing to help in the future. This is also your chance to thank donors who have already donated.
Example Update
Step 6: Thank Your Donors
Thanking your donors for their generous support is important, and social media makes it easy. With social media, you can write a thank you post, upload a video of you thanking your donors, give thanks directly on each donor’s social media profile page, or private message them with a thank you.
Example Thank You
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