You spend hours crafting the perfect message, hit 'post,' and then... crickets. It’s a frustratingly common story for nonprofits. You know your cause is important, but turning your social media followers into actual donors feels like a puzzle with missing pieces. The good news is that it’s not about luck; it’s about strategy. A successful fundraising post does more than just ask for money—it tells a story, creates a connection, and makes giving feel easy and impactful. In this guide, we’ll break down the essential elements of a compelling appeal and provide a variety of social media fundraising post examples to show you exactly how it’s done.

Key Takeaways

• Pair authentic stories with a clear ask: The most effective posts connect with supporters on a human level through personal stories and compelling visuals, then guide them to a simple, direct call to action that makes giving easy.
• Build relationships, not just campaigns: Treat social media as a conversation by sharing behind-the-scenes content, celebrating progress with your community, and consistently showing gratitude. A strong relationship built over time makes your fundraising asks more effective.
• Use data to drive your decisions: Don't guess what works. Test different headlines, visuals, and calls to action, and track the metrics that matter—like engagement and conversion rates—to understand your audience and consistently improve your results.

What Makes a Fundraising Post Successful?

On a crowded social media feed, a successful fundraising post does more than just ask for money—it earns a supporter's attention and inspires them to act. While there’s no single magic formula, the most effective posts consistently nail three key elements. They combine an authentic story, scroll-stopping visuals, and a crystal-clear call to action. Think of these as the legs of a stool; without all three, your appeal is likely to fall flat.

When you get this combination right, you create a post that doesn't feel like an interruption. Instead, it feels like an invitation to be part of something meaningful. It connects with people on an emotional level, shows them the tangible impact they can make, and gives them a simple, direct path to contribute. Mastering these fundamentals will help you turn passive followers into engaged donors who are excited to support your mission.

Tell an Authentic Story

Facts and figures can inform, but stories are what truly move people to give. The most successful fundraising posts anchor their appeal in a personal, authentic narrative. Instead of saying, "Your donation helps us provide transportation," share a specific story that brings that mission to life. For example: "This bike helped Maria get to school safely every day. Your support can provide more bikes just like it." This approach makes your work feel real and relatable. By focusing on an individual's experience, you help potential donors see the direct impact of their contribution, creating an emotional connection that statistics alone can't build. GoodUnited has seen firsthand how powerful these customer stories can be in driving action.

Use Scroll-Stopping Visuals

Before anyone reads your caption, they see your image or video. In a fast-moving social feed, a compelling visual is your best tool for getting someone to pause. Use high-quality photos or short videos that show your work in action. A picture of a volunteer handing a meal to someone is far more powerful than a stock photo. You can also create simple graphics with a powerful quote or a surprising fact to tell your story visually. The goal is to choose an image that captures the heart of your message and makes someone curious enough to stop, read, and engage with your post.

Write a Clear Call to Action

You’ve shared a moving story and captured their attention with a great visual—now what? If you don't make the next step obvious, you risk losing the donation. Your call to action (CTA) should be direct, urgent, and easy to follow. Don't be afraid to ask clearly for what you need. Use phrases like, "Donate today to help more students like Maria," and always include the link to your fundraising page directly in the post. The easier you make it for someone to give, the more likely they are to follow through. Removing friction is key, which is why tools like direct messaging can be so effective at guiding supporters straight to the donation page.

How to Create an Emotional Connection with Donors

People give to causes they care about, but they connect with people. In a crowded social media feed, a genuine emotional connection is what stops the scroll and inspires someone to act. It’s the difference between a follower who passively likes your content and a donor who is invested in your mission. Building this connection isn’t about using manipulative tactics; it’s about being human, transparent, and authentic.

When you make your audience feel the impact of your work, you create a powerful reason for them to join you. This bond is what turns a one-time donation into recurring support and a casual follower into a passionate advocate for your cause. You can foster this connection by telling personal stories that illustrate your impact, pulling back the curtain to build trust, and making your supporters feel like valued members of a community. These strategies help you build the foundation for lasting relationships that sustain your fundraising efforts long-term.

Share Personal Impact Stories

Facts and statistics can show the scale of your work, but they don’t stir the heart. A personal story does. Instead of saying you served 1,000 meals, tell the story of one person who received one of those meals and what it meant to them. This approach makes your mission tangible and relatable. It helps a potential donor see exactly how their contribution can change a life, transforming an abstract concept into a real, human outcome. Sharing these powerful supporter stories is one of the most effective ways to show, not just tell, the importance of your work and why it deserves support.

Go Behind the Scenes to Build Trust

Your supporters want to know the people behind the logo. Showing them the inner workings of your organization is a simple way to build trust and make your mission feel more accessible. Share photos of your team setting up for an event, a short video of a volunteer sharing why they got involved, or a quick tour of your office. This kind of content feels authentic and unpolished, which helps your audience feel more connected to you. People connect with people, so highlighting the dedicated individuals who power your mission reminds supporters that your organization is made up of passionate humans, just like them.

Focus Your Message on Community

Donors aren't just giving you money; they are joining your cause. Make them feel like a crucial part of the team by using inclusive language. Swap "you" and "I" for "we" and "together" to frame your work as a collective effort. When you share updates, celebrate milestones as a shared victory for your entire community. This simple shift in messaging reinforces that every supporter, no matter the size of their contribution, plays a vital role in your success. Nurturing these individual relationships through channels like direct messaging helps every donor feel seen and appreciated, strengthening their commitment to your mission.

Which Fundraising Posts Get the Best Results?

While there’s no single magic formula for the perfect fundraising post, some formats consistently drive more engagement and donations than others. These tried-and-true approaches work because they tap into core human motivations: empathy, a desire to be part of a team, and the satisfaction of making a difference. Instead of reinventing the wheel every time you need to ask for support, you can rely on these proven post types to connect with your audience effectively. By incorporating these five examples into your social media calendar, you can create a well-rounded campaign that keeps your audience engaged and inspired to give. Think of these as essential tools in your fundraising toolkit—ready to be deployed when you need to rally your community and build a sustainable pipeline of support. They provide structure to your strategy and help you move beyond one-off asks, creating a more consistent and predictable fundraising channel. This isn't about finding a gimmick; it's about understanding the psychology of giving and using formats that resonate deeply with supporters, making it easier for them to say "yes" when you need them most.

The Emergency Appeal

When a crisis hits or you’re facing an urgent need, an emergency appeal can be incredibly effective. This type of post cuts through the noise by creating a sense of immediacy that compels people to act now. The key is to use powerful, authentic visuals and direct, emotional language to explain the situation. Share photos that capture real feelings and tell a story that connects the donor directly to the impact of their gift. Be clear about what’s at stake and how their immediate support can provide a solution, whether it’s funding a rescue mission, providing emergency supplies, or keeping a critical program running.

The Milestone Update

Donors love to feel like they’re part of a winning team. Milestone updates are perfect for building and sustaining momentum during a longer campaign. Use simple graphics, like a fundraising thermometer, to show how close you are to reaching your goal. When you hit a significant milestone—like 25%, 50%, or 75% of your target—celebrate it! A quick video of your team cheering or a fun graphic with digital confetti can make your supporters feel appreciated and motivated to help you cross the finish line. These updates keep your campaign top-of-mind and show potential donors that their contribution will help push a successful effort forward.

The Peer-to-Peer Ask

Sometimes, the most powerful ask comes not from you, but from a supporter’s friend or family member. Peer-to-peer fundraising posts empower your most passionate followers to become advocates for your cause. Encourage them to create their own fundraisers for your organization, like a Facebook Birthday Fundraiser, or to join a team campaign. Provide them with simple templates and compelling images they can easily share on their own profiles. This approach extends your reach far beyond your own followers, tapping into new networks and building social proof around your mission. It’s a powerful way to turn your community into an active fundraising force.

The Challenge Campaign

A challenge campaign leverages community and a little friendly competition to drive donations. This is the engine behind highly successful social fundraisers like Facebook Challenges, where participants commit to an activity (like walking 100 miles in a month) while fundraising from their network. You can also use this on a smaller scale by issuing a direct challenge in a post, like: “We’re challenging 50 people to donate $25 by midnight to fund a full day of after-school programs.” This creates a clear, achievable goal and a sense of urgency, encouraging followers to join in and help you meet the challenge together.

The "Thank You" and Impact Post

Fundraising is a cycle, and gratitude is the part that keeps it going. A "thank you" post is non-negotiable, but a truly great one goes a step further by showing the tangible impact of your donors' generosity. Don’t just say thank you—show it. Share a photo of the new equipment purchased, a video of the community you served, or a heartfelt quote from someone who benefited from the funds raised. Closing the loop like this makes your supporters feel valued and proves their donation made a real difference. This builds trust and fosters the long-term loyalty you need for sustainable donor retention.

How to Create Urgency (Without Being Pushy)

We’ve all seen those fundraising appeals that feel a little… intense. Creating urgency doesn’t have to mean using aggressive tactics or making your supporters feel pressured. Instead, think of it as giving your community a compelling reason to act now rather than later. On social media, where attention is fleeting, a gentle nudge can be the difference between a supporter scrolling by and one who stops to make a gift.

The key is to frame the urgency around an opportunity for the donor—an opportunity to make their gift go further, to help reach a critical goal, or to be part of a special moment. It’s about inviting them into the story and showing them why their immediate support matters. When you focus on the positive impact and the shared goal, you create excitement and motivation, not anxiety. This approach respects your donors while encouraging the timely action you need to hit your fundraising targets. Let’s look at a few effective ways to do this.

Use Time-Sensitive Language

One of the most straightforward ways to encourage immediate action is by setting a clear deadline. Time-sensitive language creates a natural window of opportunity that prompts people to give now instead of putting it off. This could be tied to a specific campaign, a giving day, or the end of the month. For example, you might post, “Great news! Every donation made this week will be matched dollar-for-dollar. Double your impact today!”

The goal is to be direct and clear about the timeline without sounding demanding. Use phrases like “ends at midnight,” “only 48 hours left,” or “for this week only” to frame the opportunity. You can find more messaging ideas in our fundraising playbooks to help you craft the perfect time-sensitive appeal.

Highlight Matching Gift Opportunities

A matching gift is one of the best urgency-builders you have. It instantly doubles a donor’s impact, which is an incredibly powerful motivator. When a supporter knows their $25 donation will become $50, they are far more likely to give on the spot. Make sure your announcement is impossible to miss by using bold graphics that clearly communicate the “2x impact” message.

This is also a fantastic way to recognize a corporate partner or major donor who is providing the match. Announce the match opportunity clearly and thank the matching partner publicly. This creates a sense of a community-wide effort and shows that every single gift is critical to unlocking the larger matching fund. Matching gifts are especially effective in time-bound campaigns like Facebook Challenges, where they can create huge momentum.

Show Progress Toward a Goal

People love to be part of a winning team. Sharing your progress toward a fundraising goal makes the objective feel tangible and achievable, inspiring others to chip in to get you across the finish line. A fundraising thermometer graphic is a classic for a reason—it’s a simple, visual way to show how far you’ve come and how far you have to go.

You can create urgency by posting updates like, “We're 80% of the way to our goal! Just $500 more to go to fund our next project. Can you help us get there?” Also, celebrate small wins along the way. Sharing your first donation or a milestone moment keeps the energy high and encourages others to join in. This makes your supporters feel like valued partners in your success, as you can see in our customer stories.

How to Write Copy That Inspires Action

Once you’ve established an emotional connection, it’s time to translate that feeling into a donation. The words you choose are your most powerful tool for turning a supporter’s empathy into action. Effective fundraising copy isn’t about using fancy vocabulary or complicated sentences; it’s about being clear, direct, and human. Your goal is to make it incredibly easy for someone to understand the problem, see how they can be part of the solution, and feel good about hitting that “donate” button.

Think of your post’s copy as a bridge. On one side, you have a follower who cares about your cause. On the other, you have your fundraising goal. Your words need to guide them across that bridge by answering three simple questions: Why now? What for? And how can I help? By structuring your message around these core questions, you remove any guesswork and create a clear path for your supporters to follow. Every sentence should serve the purpose of making the decision to give feel simple, urgent, and impactful.

Start with a Strong Hook

You have just a few seconds to stop someone from scrolling past your post. Your opening line is everything. Instead of starting with a generic greeting or a broad statement, jump right into the heart of the story. A powerful hook can be a surprising statistic, a poignant quote from someone you’ve helped, or a direct question that makes the reader pause and think. The goal is to create immediate curiosity and emotional investment.

For example, instead of saying, “We need your help to support local families,” try something like, “For Maria, a single mother of two, a simple box of groceries isn’t just food—it’s a lifeline.” This approach immediately introduces a character and a tangible need, making the issue personal. A compelling nonprofit story grabs attention and makes your audience want to read on to find out how they can become part of that story’s positive outcome.

Frame the Problem and Your Solution

Once you have their attention, you need to clearly explain the situation. Be specific about the challenge you’re addressing. Vague statements like “help us make a difference” don’t have the same weight as concrete examples. Explain why you need donations and what, exactly, the money will accomplish. This transparency builds trust and helps donors visualize the direct impact of their contribution.

Show them what their support can achieve. For instance, instead of just asking for funds for an animal shelter, explain that the shelter is at full capacity and needs to fund a new wing. This frames the problem (overcrowding) and presents a clear, tangible solution (a new wing). Sharing how past donations have made a difference, like in this customer story, reinforces that your organization delivers on its promises and uses funds effectively.

Ask for a Specific Amount

A common mistake in fundraising posts is making a vague call to action. “Donate now” is good, but it can leave supporters wondering how much they should give. You can guide their decision and increase donations by suggesting specific amounts tied to specific outcomes. This is called a “gift handle,” and it helps people connect their donation to a real-world result. It removes the friction of decision-making and makes the act of giving feel more concrete.

For example, you could say, “Can you help us get there? A gift of $25 provides a warm coat for a child in need.” This gives your audience a clear understanding of what their money can buy. It also makes the goal feel more achievable. You can offer a few different options—like $25 for a coat, $50 for a backpack full of school supplies, or $100 for a week of after-school tutoring—to give people choices that fit their budget while still highlighting the impact of each level of support.

Keep Your Structure Simple

Your social media post isn’t the place for a long, winding essay. People are scrolling quickly, so your message needs to be easy to digest. A simple, effective structure for a fundraising post is:

1. The Hook: Grab their attention with a powerful opening.
2. The Problem: Briefly explain the challenge you’re facing.
3. The Solution: Show how their donation will make a difference.
4. The Ask: Clearly and directly ask for their support with a link to donate.

The goal isn’t to ask for money in every single post. Instead, focus on telling stories and showing the impact of your work. This builds a relationship with your audience, so when you do make an ask, they’re already invested and ready to help. This approach is central to building a community through direct messaging, where the focus is on conversation and connection, not just transactions.

How to Choose the Right Visuals for Your Post

On a crowded social media feed, your visuals are what make someone pause their scroll. The right image, video, or graphic can grab attention and create an immediate emotional connection, making your words that much more powerful. While your copy tells the story, your visuals show it. Think of them as the hook that draws supporters in and makes them want to learn more about your cause.

Choosing the right visual isn't just about finding something pretty; it's about selecting an asset that reinforces your message and aligns with your fundraising goal. A powerful photo of a single person can make a large-scale issue feel personal, while a bright, energetic graphic can create a sense of excitement around a fundraising challenge. The visual you choose sets the tone for the entire post before your audience reads a single word. Let's walk through the three main types of visuals you can use to bring your fundraising posts to life.

Select High-Quality Photos

Your own photos are one of your most powerful storytelling assets. Forget generic stock images—supporters want to see the real people and communities they’re helping. A genuine, high-quality photo creates a personal connection and makes your work feel tangible and relatable. Use crisp, clear images that show your mission in action: a volunteer helping out, a staff member at work, or a direct view of the impact a donation can have. These authentic moments build trust and show supporters exactly what their contribution achieves. Many of our most successful nonprofit partners use simple, powerful photos to ground their fundraising asks in real-world stories.

Tell Your Story with Video

Video is one of the most engaging formats on social media, allowing you to connect with your audience on a much deeper level. You can use pre-recorded videos to share impact stories or go live to stream events, conduct interviews, or take your audience behind the scenes. Live video, in particular, fosters a sense of immediacy and community, making viewers feel like they are part of the moment. This is especially effective for Facebook Challenges, where a live kickoff or a mid-campaign check-in can create excitement and drive participation. Don’t worry about high production value; a heartfelt video shot on a phone can often feel more authentic and compelling.

Use Graphics to Explain Your Impact

Sometimes, you need to communicate key information quickly and clearly, and that’s where graphics shine. A well-designed graphic can make a statistic or a quote stand out and be easily shareable. Use simple tools like Canva to create visuals that tell your story. For example, you can overlay a powerful quote on a photo or create a simple infographic that shows the direct impact of a specific donation amount (e.g., "$15 provides a warm meal"). Graphics are also perfect for showing progress. A fundraising thermometer or a goal tracker can motivate supporters by showing them how close you are to your target and how their contribution can help you get there. For more ideas, check out our social fundraising playbooks.

Where Should You Post Your Fundraising Appeals?

Knowing what to post is only half the battle; you also need to know where to post it. While it’s tempting to share the same message across all your social media channels, the most effective strategy involves tailoring your appeals to the platform and the audience you’re trying to reach. Each network has its own unique culture, content formats, and user demographics. The key is to meet your supporters where they already are and speak their language.

Think of it this way: you wouldn’t wear the same outfit to a gala and a backyard barbecue. Similarly, a long, text-heavy post that works wonders on Facebook will likely fall flat on the visually-driven Instagram feed. By understanding the strengths of each platform, you can create fundraising appeals that feel native and resonant, rather than out of place. We’ll focus on the big three for nonprofits: Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn. Mastering these channels will help you connect with different segments of your audience and build a more resilient, multi-channel social fundraising strategy.

Use Facebook's Built-In Fundraising Tools

Facebook is a powerhouse for nonprofits, especially for reaching established supporters. Its built-in fundraising tools, like the "Donate" button and peer-to-peer fundraisers, make giving incredibly simple. This platform is ideal for longer, story-driven posts, compelling videos, and sharing detailed updates about your work. When you launch a campaign, don’t just ask for money. Explain why you are fundraising and how the cause has impacted you or your community personally. This personal touch is what inspires people to give. For a truly engaging experience, consider launching a Facebook Challenge to rally your community around a shared goal.

Optimize for Instagram's Feed and Stories

Instagram is all about visuals. To capture attention here, you need high-quality photos and short, engaging videos. The feed is competitive, so your content has to be scroll-stopping. Use your own authentic photos to tell a story and showcase your impact—it creates a much stronger connection than generic stock images. Instagram Stories are perfect for more immediate, behind-the-scenes content, and you can use the donation sticker to create an easy path for giving. Don’t forget to use relevant hashtags in your posts to expand your reach and connect with new audiences who care about your cause.

Connect with Supporters on LinkedIn

Don’t overlook LinkedIn as a fundraising channel, especially if your nonprofit has a corporate giving program or wants to connect with business leaders. This platform is the perfect place to share major milestones, impact reports, and stories about your corporate partners. It’s an excellent network for promoting fundraising events and recruiting volunteers with specific professional skills. Think of LinkedIn as the place to build credibility and connect with professionals and businesses who can support your mission in a significant way. Sharing your successes here can attract new board members, corporate sponsors, and high-impact donors.

How to Get More People to Share Your Posts

Getting your followers to share your posts is one of the most effective ways to reach new audiences without spending a dime. A share is a personal endorsement—it’s a supporter telling their network, “This matters to me, and it should matter to you, too.” When someone shares your content, they’re lending you their credibility and introducing your cause to a warm audience that’s more likely to listen. The key is to make sharing an easy and compelling choice for your community.

Create Content People Want to Share

People share content that makes them feel something—inspired, hopeful, or even outraged. They also share things that are genuinely useful. Think about what your audience would be excited to pass along to their friends. This could be a striking infographic that visualizes your impact, a beautiful quote from someone your organization has helped, or a simple, picture-based guide that offers helpful tips related to your cause. The goal is to create posts that people want to save for later or immediately send to a friend. High-quality, emotionally resonant content is your foundation for earning those valuable shares.

Ask Your Community to Share First

Sometimes, the simplest approach is the most effective: just ask. Your most dedicated supporters are often waiting for ways to help, and a direct request can be the nudge they need. You can add a simple call to action like, “Please share this post to help us find 10 new monthly donors.” Even better, empower them to become fundraisers themselves. Encouraging supporters to start a Facebook Challenge or a birthday fundraiser for your cause turns them into active advocates. They aren’t just sharing a post; they’re inviting their personal network to join them in making a difference, which is a much more powerful ask.

Use Hashtags and Supporter Content

Hashtags are your best tool for extending your reach beyond your current followers. Think of them as filing systems for social media, helping people interested in your cause find your content. Use a mix of hashtags to connect with different audiences: one for your specific campaign, one for your organization, and a few broader, cause-related tags (like #FoodSecurity or #AnimalWelfare). You can also create a unique hashtag and encourage your community to share their own photos and stories using it. Featuring this supporter-generated content not only gives you authentic posts to share but also makes your community feel seen and valued, which you can read more about on our blog.

How to Measure Success and What to Avoid

Creating great fundraising posts is just the first step. To build a strategy that lasts, you need to understand what’s working, what isn’t, and why. Measuring your success isn’t about chasing vanity metrics; it’s about listening to your audience and learning how to connect with them more effectively. By tracking the right data and avoiding common pitfalls, you can turn your social media presence into a reliable fundraising channel.

Track the Metrics That Matter

It’s easy to get caught up in likes and follower counts, but those numbers don’t pay the bills. The most important metrics show how your audience is interacting with your content. A key number to watch is your social media engagement rate, which tells you what percentage of people who saw your post actually engaged with it. A high engagement rate means your content is resonating and building a strong community. Also, keep a close eye on your click-through rate (how many people click the link in your post) and your conversion rate (how many of those clicks result in a donation). These figures give you a clear picture of how well your appeals are inspiring action.

Avoid These Common Fundraising Mistakes

Many nonprofits make a few key mistakes that hold back their social fundraising. The first is treating social media like a megaphone instead of a telephone. If you’re not responding to comments and messages, you’re missing huge opportunities to build relationships with potential donors. Another common pitfall is letting your social media feel disconnected from your other communication channels, like your website and email newsletters. Your social presence should be an integrated part of your overall strategy, creating a seamless experience for your supporters. Finally, avoid making every single post an ask. Mix in stories, thank yous, and behind-the-scenes content to keep your community engaged for the long haul.

Always Be Testing

Want to know the secret to improving your results over time? Test everything. You don’t need a fancy lab to do it. Simply pay attention to how small changes affect your performance. This is often called A/B testing, where you compare two versions of a post to see which one does better. You can experiment with different elements like post timing, headlines, images, calls to action, and even the tone of your copy. For example, does a photo of a person get more clicks than a graphic? Does asking for a specific amount like "$25" work better than a general appeal? Testing helps you replace guesswork with real data, allowing you to make smarter decisions that lead to more donations.

Related Articles

• How to Run Successful Social Media Fundraising Campaigns
• 5 Inspiring Nonprofit Social Media Campaign Examples

Frequently Asked Questions

How often should we be asking for donations on social media? Think of your social media feed as a conversation, not a billboard. If every post is an ask, your audience will tune out. A good rule of thumb is to make sure your fundraising appeals are mixed in with plenty of other content that builds community. Share impact stories, go behind the scenes, and thank your supporters regularly. When you focus on building relationships first, your audience will be much more receptive and ready to give when you do make a clear, direct ask.

My posts get likes but not many donations. What's the disconnect? Likes are a great sign that your content is resonating emotionally, but they don't automatically translate into gifts. The disconnect often happens in the final step: the call to action. A follower might love your story but not know what to do next. Make your ask impossible to miss with direct language like, "Donate today," and always include a clear, easy-to-use link. Also, consider adding a sense of urgency, like a matching gift opportunity or a deadline, to encourage people to act right away instead of scrolling on.

Do I really need professional photos and videos to be successful? Absolutely not. When it comes to nonprofit storytelling, authenticity is far more powerful than polish. A clear, heartfelt photo or video taken on a smartphone that shows your work in action will always be more effective than a generic stock image. Your supporters want to see the real people and impact behind your mission. Focus on capturing genuine moments that tell your story, and don't worry about having a Hollywood-level production budget.

What's the best way to tell a story if our work isn't always visually dramatic? A compelling story doesn't require a crisis; it just needs a human element. Your organization's work is full of personal stories, even if they seem small. You can focus on a single person's experience, whether it's a volunteer sharing why they show up every week or a staff member explaining a breakthrough on a project. The goal is to make your mission tangible. By focusing on an individual's perspective, you help donors connect with the real-world impact of their support.

Is it better to ask for a specific amount or just ask people to give what they can? Asking for a specific amount tied to a tangible outcome is almost always more effective. It helps a potential donor understand exactly what their money can accomplish. For example, saying "$25 provides a backpack full of school supplies" is much more compelling than a general request to "please donate." This approach, often called a gift handle, removes the guesswork for the donor and makes the act of giving feel more concrete and impactful.