2025 Social Media Best Practices for Nonprofits

Social media is undoubtedly one of the most powerful tools for nonprofit organizations to connect with their target audiences, raise awareness, and achieve their goals. And with platforms constantly evolving, it’s crucial to stay updated on best practices to ensure your efforts deliver results.

This guide focuses on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn, offering insights into how nonprofit leaders and marketing professionals can effectively use these platforms in 2025. We’ll cover how to choose the right platforms, analyze monthly data, craft compelling content, and collaborate with influencers or thought leaders.

Choosing the Right Platforms for Your Nonprofit

One of the biggest mistakes we see is organizations trying to have a presence on every platform. Each platform has unique strengths with different audience focuses, content types, and purposes. Creating high quality and effective content takes time and energy–that is well worth the effort when done right.? It’s essential to identify where your audience spends their time and what your goals are for those specific audiences and platforms.?

Instagram

Instagram is visual-first, making it ideal for nonprofits with eye-catching visual content (e.g., photos, videos, infographics). The platform generally caters to younger audiences (millennials and Gen Z), making it a great avenue for raising awareness and inspiring action. Features like Stories, Reels, and carousels allow you to tell your story in creative ways.

Nonprofit Use Case:

• A wildlife conservation nonprofit might use Instagram to post before-and-after images of habitats they have restored, or use Reels to share footage of rescue efforts.
• A humanitarian organization may utilize Instagram Post Carousels to share informative images that break down complex issues.?

Facebook

Despite being perceived as a platform for older audiences, Facebook remains a powerful network for community building and fundraising. Its Events, Groups, and fundraising tools (like Facebook Donate) are particularly effective for nonprofit organizations.

Nonprofit Use Case:

• A local food bank could use Facebook to create an Event for its next volunteer drive and build engagement through a vibrant community group.
• A nonprofit offering mental health services may use Facebook to create a private or public group to connect participants and those in the community.?

LinkedIn

LinkedIn is the go-to platform for connecting with professionals, corporate partners, and donors. Nonprofits can use it to share impact reports, highlight milestones, and connect with thought leaders in their niche.

Nonprofit Use Case:

• A nonprofit focused on education might post a success story highlighting the impact of a corporate-funded scholarship initiative, tagging their corporate partners for visibility.
• A health-focused nonprofit may use LinkedIn to publish long-form articles or case studies about relevant topics.

Creating Compelling Content That Drives Action

Engaging content is the backbone of any successful social media campaign. Here are some tried-and-true tips for crafting posts that resonate with nonprofit audiences:

Tell Impactful Stories?

Humanize your nonprofit’s mission by turning stats into real-life stories. Highlight beneficiaries, volunteers, or even team members who bring your vision to life.

• Example Post Idea for Instagram: A carousel post with a single parent sharing how your nonprofit helped provide access to affordable housing.

Leverage Video Content?

In general, video content garners higher engagement than static posts. Utilize Instagram Reels, Facebook Live, or LinkedIn native videos to share:

• Behind-the-scenes efforts
• Q&A sessions with your team
• Testimonials from beneficiaries

USE A CLEAR CALL-TO-ACTION (CTA)?

Be direct in telling your audience what step to take next. Whether it’s “Donate Now,” “Visit Our Website,” or “Join Our Event,” make your CTA stand out.

TAP INTO TRENDS?

Stay updated with social media trends and adapt them for your mission. For example:

• Participate in relevant hashtags like #GivingTuesday.
• Use trending audio for Instagram Reels highlighting your campaigns.

CREATE INTERACTIVE POSTS?

Engage your audience with polls, quizzes, or challenges. Instagram Stories’ interactive stickers (Polls, Questions, and Sliders) are perfect for quick, easy engagement.

How to Analyze and Report Monthly Findings

Insights from your social media data will help refine your strategy, engage your audiences more effectively, and achieve your goals. Here’s how to approach data analysis:

CHOOSE KEY METRICS?

Tailor your analysis to metrics that align with your goals. For example:

• Awareness: Reach, impressions, and follower growth.
• Engagement: Likes, comments, shares, and saves.
• Conversion: Website clicks, donations, or sign-ups.

USE NATIVE TOOLS & ANALYTICS PLATFORMS?

Platforms like Facebook Insights, Instagram Analytics, and LinkedIn Analytics provide native tools to track performance. Supplement these with robust analytics tools like Sprout Social or Hootsuite to consolidate and deepen your analysis.

CREATE ACTIONABLE REPORTS?

Compile your data into easy-to-read monthly reports. Use data visualizations to highlight trends or successes and include actionable insights for improvement. For example:

• If engagement on video posts is higher than photo posts, focus more on video content next month.
• If donations come from Instagram Stories over feed posts, double down on Story promotions.

SHARE REPORTS WITH STAKEHOLDERS?

?Your marketing team isn’t the only one who benefits from this data. Share reports with leadership and board members to highlight the impact of social media on the organization.

Collaborating with Influencers and Thought Leaders

Collaborations can amplify your reach and help you tap into new audiences who care about your mission. Look for influencers or thought leaders who align with your mission and target audience. This could be:

• Local activists in your community.
• Subject-matter experts passionate about your cause.
• Micro-influencers with a highly engaged, niche following.

BUILDING MEANINGFUL PARTNERSHIPS

Focus on building genuine relationships rather than transactional ones. Offer value by aligning with their personal brand and creating co-branded campaigns.

IDEAS FOR COLLABORATION

• Instagram Takeovers: Have an influencer take over your Instagram account for a day to showcase your cause from their perspective.

• LinkedIn Live Panel Discussions:Co-host a virtual event with a thought leader where you discuss relevant issues and how your nonprofit is addressing them.
• Exclusive Content Creation:Partner with influencers to create exclusive content, such as unboxing videos of your welcome kit for donors.

Social media is an evolving landscape, and staying on top of trends and best practices is more important than ever for nonprofits. By choosing the right platforms, analyzing your data, crafting compelling content, and collaborating with like-minded influencers, your nonprofit can amplify its impact and connect with the right audience.

Need help developing a social media strategy or crafting content that resonates with your audiences? Reach out to our team to learn how we can support your mission and help you meet your goals. Together, we can make a difference.

Get Started with Bloom Now!

Are you ready to level up your social media strategy? Let us start crafting a plan to elevate your mission.

Get Started