This is National Handwashing Awareness Week in the U.S. That fact along with the massive publicity over the Swine Flu (H1N1), the flu season in general, cold season and so forth . . . all present an opportunity for you.
Send out a useful message to your donors with resources to help keep them – and their family – healthy this winter. This is definitely a good donor cultivation idea.
I also recommend you use multiple marketing channels: Send out emails, blog about it, put a special page on your website, Tweet it, add it to your Facebook page and so on.
You may not be able to do all of this, but you can do one or two TODAY!
And you do NOT have to be a health related nonprofit to take advantage of this.
I think every group can do this. Here are a few ideas on how you can make the connection between your mission and the topic of hand washing:
- Charity for kids – Keeping kids healthy is always a good approach. Lots of FUN ideas here including the “Clean Your Paws for Santa Claus Coloring Sheet.”
- Veterans charity – Share with your donors that fact that they know how important it is for the military to be healthy so they can execute their mission. And it’s also important for you [the donor you’re writing to] to stay healthy. Good hand hygiene is a vital part of maintaining your health . . .
- Theatrical, choral or symphony – Share with your donors . . . “Our singers can’t perform for you when they’re sick. So we shared some valuable information with them that will help them stay healthy. And we want to share it with you too….”
And so on it goes. The Soap and Detergent Association has tons of great resources you can share with your donors: Coloring sheets for kids; links to webinars; tip sheets; and a whole lot more.
Send out a donor cultivation message to your donors today. They’ll appreciate the fact that you want to help them. But I urge you to NOT ask for a donation in return. Make this PURE cultivation. It’s your gift to them in this blessed season of giving.
