Giving Tuesday, the Tuesday after Black Friday, is a global celebration of generosity when individuals and businesses find ways to support their communities with donations of time, talent, and money.
As a short-term rental alliance, you can harness the spirit of the day to rally support for your mission, whether that be fundraising, volunteer recruitment, or raising awareness. Alternatively, Giving Tuesday could be an opportunity to use your platform to build support for another organization that makes your community a better place to live.
Fundraising for your short-term rental alliance
If your alliance is in the midst of a high-stakes regulatory battle, Giving Tuesday is a good time to make a call for donations. One of the easiest ways to garner support for your cause is through your email list and social media pages. Both mediums have a far reach and can be deployed relatively last minute.
Start with a simple post or email reminding your followers that Giving Tuesday is coming up and plant the idea of contributing to the alliance.
Here’s a sample Facebook post:
Save the Date: #GivingTuesday is Nov. 20! We’re proud to be a part of this global celebration of giving. This year, we ask that you consider the [Alliance Fund] in your #GivingTuesday plans.
An email could contain similar messaging. Add a “Donate” button at the bottom of the email or social media post where subscribers can easily send in a contribution.
If your alliance is undergoing a particular effort for which funds are needed, share in your post or in an email how a contribution could help to solve it.
Save the Date for Giving Tuesday
Tuesday, Nov. 29
Giving Tuesday is a global day of giving back. Join thousands around the world in supporting a cause that is close to your heart. This year, we ask that you consider the [Alliance Fund] for your Giving Tuesday contribution. We believe in responsible short-term rentals in [town] and understand the value that they bring to our community. We will continue to advocate for you in this fight for fair and reasonable regulation. Our goal is to raise [$XXXXX] before 2023 so we are prepared as Council gears up to take on the topic of STRs in the new year.
If you are able to make a donation, please add in the note section “Giving Tuesday” to help us track progress, and thank you for your generosity. All contributions are business tax-deductible.
When composing a social media post or email, there’s no need to start from scratch. Find templates you can use to raise money for your alliance at GivingTuesday.org and DIY design platform Canva.
Emphasize that everyone has something to give; not just money
An important concept of Giving Tuesday is that time, talent, and speaking out on an issue can have as much value as money. Emphasize this in your messaging. If someone doesn’t have money to contribute, ask them to share their time, skills, or voice to support responsible short-term rentals.
Mobilize volunteers
Hold an event to engage new volunteers, for instance, or mobilize your community to speak in support of your cause – whether that involves signing a petition, advocating for policy change at City Council, or telling a personal story about how short-term rentals improve your life or the community at large.
Host a day of gratitude
If you’re not in need of immediate financial support, consider celebrating what your alliance already has. Host 24 hours of gratitude on your Facebook page to post things your alliance is thankful for.
Support another community organization
In some cases, the best way to build momentum for your alliance is to show how short-term rental operators contribute to the community. That could mean focusing your attention on an outside organization that helps build or support the community.
- Fundraise for a local nonprofit through email and social media pages
- Hold an alliance fundraising event in which short-term rental operators contribute a percentage of their donations on Giving Tuesday to a particular nonprofit or cause
- Use your social media pages and network to highlight organizations that need support
- Allow another organization to take over your social media pages for the day, tell their story, and make calls for action
- Collaborate with other organizations. Model the concept that your community is bigger than just one organization or interest group, and it takes teamwork to create a community
- Volunteer as a fiscal sponsor for a local mutual aid group or community organization
- Host a canned food drive for the local food bank
- Fill a need in the community that can only be met by short-term rentals. This is community specific but could be something like hosting traveling nurses who are helping with the Covid pandemic or hosting the victims of a disaster for free
- Organize an exposition of your alliance, partner organizations, and charities they support
- Lead a GivingTuesday Community campaign
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