For this blog, I have been interviewing professionals to find out what their nonprofit is doing on social media and learning about social media from their perspective. For this blog, I am flipping the script. I created a Google Form and sent it to friends and family as a target audience. In 48 hours, I received 28 responses. This blog is a reflection of their answers.
Do you currently support nonprofits?
The majority was a yes, with 96.4%. 3.6% said no.
If so, how?
63% said that they donated. 22.2% said that they volunteered. 7.4% said that they follow nonprofits on social media. 14.6% said all of the above. One person said: “Both in-person volunteering and donating $500 a week for the past 10 years. I do not use social media, nor own a smartphone by choice, only a desktop PC.”
Are you actively looking for nonprofits to support?
75% said no. 14.3% said yes. 3.6% said they currently donate. 7.2% said other and wrote in responses. “Maybe. If I am convinced of their mission and effectiveness.”, “I actively support nonprofits that I believe in.”
When choosing a nonprofit, does their social media presence have an effect?
50% said no. 42.9% said yes. 7.2% said other, “If it includes real-life examples of how they are helping.”. One “yes,” said: “It affects in that I wouldn’t have known about them if they didn’t come across my feed.”
What things do you look for on a nonprofit’s social media?
- “How they help specifically. Stories shared by participants.”
- “Information and stories about their impact.”
- “I’d look for opportunities to get involved. I also look to see if their messaging aligns with my own interests/values.”
- “Regular updates on how my support is making a difference, pictures of people active in the nonprofit, stories of change, specific things the finances are going towards rather than just ‘to our organization’.”
- ”If they have a TikTok, post a lot of photos, less bloggy read-y posts, but still have a personal side.”
- “To see what they are doing within their community or for their action statement.”
- “How they are living out their mission.”
- “What they do/how they help their demographic. How easily I can donate/volunteer. Is it a secure website to put my credit card into. How often content is updated.”
- “Brief stories.”
- “Who they serve and variety.”
- “Transparency about funding and use of funds.”
- “Relevance to current events/contemporary social issues.”
- “That they stand for what I agree with.”
- “Fun and engaging video.”
- “Mission of the organization.”
- “Dollars compared to action.”
- “Posts about recent triumphs or current needs, not much political engagement, prompt responses.”
- “Photos, events.”
- “Most of the charities we support are smaller ones that we know personally.”
- “Mission.”
- “Current updates and current news.”
- “I don’t even look for them to have social media. I just support what I believe in.”
- “Seeing how the money is making a difference.”
- “Frequent and interesting posts.”
If you follow a nonprofit on social media, how often do you wish to see them post?
53.6% said weekly. 10.7% said daily. 7.2% said monthly. 28.6% said none or that they don’t follow nonprofits. 7.2% said other, including “Once or twice weekly but not more than that.”, “Depends on the need.”.
What do you wish nonprofits knew or did about social media?
- “Inform, but don’t constantly ask for donations.”
- “The nonprofit I work for does not have any real presence on social media and I wish it would post more opportunities as well as success stories so that more people who are like me would get involved.”
- “Social media is a huge gift to all organizations, but it is easy to scroll past boring material. Keep the material interesting and exciting if you want a regular following!”
- “How to engage the supporter.”
- “If posts are for gaining new followers, be sure to keep the messaging going and give history of why you do what you do every now and then.”
- “Post scheduling-I believe they would post more if they did.”
- “That their work is valued, effective, and aligns with our beliefs.”
- “Don’t just ask for money-show actions and results.”
- “What’s appropriate.”
- “Keep their sites up to date.”
- “Make it fun, lively, and informative.”
- “How to effectively use it.”
- “Focused on storytelling and positive outcomes.”
- “Utilize it to recruit volunteers,”
- “A splendid place to tell your story.”
- “I wish they’d understand we can’t all afford to do or give more even when we love them. We just don’t have the time or money. A monthly reminder is fine.”
- “Audience could be looking for just about anything.”
- “I like the Day of Giving as it reminds me to make sure that I have supported my favorite charities that year.”
- “Who they reach.”
- “Short stories about how what they are doing is helping others.”
- “Used social media to be clear about their mission and values.”
- “Wish they were upbeat than sad.”
Anything else you wish to add?
- “It would be helpful if the nonprofit would be transparent about salaries for those holding the highest positions.”
- “The Happy Givers create social media lists that are so (emphasis on “so”) good I often repost them. I think that’s a great way to get a message across and increase visibility.”
- “I donate but also volunteer for various nonprofits.”
- “I quit supporting nonprofits anytime they make political statements. Keep communications about the mission.”
- “I like when they add secure donation links so I can casually throw money their way.”
- “My nonprofit is Mission 22 and now I will be looking for their social media page because of this.”
Reading these answers was interesting as I learned how varied people’s views were. It is helpful as I am looking to start a career with a nonprofit. I am sure this survey can be equally valuable to people currently working with nonprofits as it was for me.
