Nonprofit Toolkit
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Your guide to planning, promoting, and making the most of 35 Hours
35 Hours of Giving only lasts for 35 hours. The work you do around it can last much longer.
This Toolkit is here to help you make the most of your participation in 35 Hours of Giving, from your first planning conversation through donor follow-up and the years between campaigns.
Because 35 Hours is focused on building your organization's endowment, your campaign may look a little different from a traditional giving day. You're inviting donors to invest in the long-term strength of your organization and its ability to keep doing its work in the future.
You don't need to use every resource in this Toolkit. Start with what makes sense for your organization, your goals, your donors, and your team's capacity.
35 Hours happens every other year. Your endowment story doesn't.
Use this Toolkit before, during, and after the campaign to build donor understanding, strengthen relationships, and keep investing in your organization's future.
1. Getting Started
Start here to understand the campaign, get familiar with the timeline, and decide how 35 Hours fits into your organization's goals and capacity.
2. Build Your Team
35 Hours works best when you're not doing everything yourself. Think about who can help you share the work, tell your organization's story, and reach new people.
Building Board Support
Ideas and resources for getting your board involved before and during the campaign.
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Plan Your Campaign
Use the campaign timeline to decide what needs to happen, when, and who will handle it.
View Timeline3. Spread the Word
Once you have your plan and your people in place, it's time to start telling your story. Use these resources to plan your communications and promote 35 Hours.
Marketing & Communications Resources
Social media ideas, email templates, P2P and board communications, Canva templates, graphics, printables, and more.
A Simple Communications Plan
Before 35 Hours: Introduce the campaign, explain why you're participating, and build anticipation.
Leading Up: Share your story, recruit supporters, and remind people when and how to give.
May 5-6: Ask, share updates, celebrate progress, and remind people there's still time.
After: Thank your supporters and keep the conversation going.
4. Give Thanks
Thanking your donors is just the beginning. Use stewardship to build lasting relationships, keep donors connected to your organization, and start conversations about the long-term future of your work.
Stewardship & Planned Giving
Thank you templates, P2P donor stewardship, year-round relationship building, planned giving strategies, prospect identification, and more.
Questions about 35 Hours of Giving? Please contact 35hours@ourcommunity.org.
You can also check out the GiveGab blog and support center for additional giving day resources.