How #MyGivingStory Can Benefit Your Mission-Driven Organization

When visiting the #MyGivingStory page on the #GivingTuesday website, viewers are able to scroll through a gallery of pictures, each one with a story of giving behind it. The stories are in no particular order, instead, they are reshuffled randomly. The idea is that giving inspires giving. A few of the lucky storytellers will receive monetary prizes for an organization of choice. #MyGivingStory is also a way for mission-driven organizations to spread their stories.

The process is simple. As a participant, post your story along with an optional image or a video at https://mygivingstory.givingtuesday.org/. Next, spread the word that you need votes. The act of asking for the votes themselves is a way to spread an organization’s story and mission. The stories that receive the top 20 votes are eligible for judging and could win up to $10,000.

Submissions are plentiful. To increase your chances of visibility, keep the following five tips  in mind:

1. Including an image or video always helps tell a story. In fact, with the use of social media, we have come to expect it.
2. Images that get the most attention are those of young children. Logos or branding have low engagement.
3. The ideal length of a story is between 500 and 600 words.
4. The stories that are the most popular follow a traditional five-part story arc.
5. After submitting the story, spread the word using any tools you have in your toolbox - email lists, social media, word of mouth.

While perusing the images attached to the 2019 submissions on the #MyGivingStories page, I would have guessed that the majority came from causes supporting animals in need. Who wouldn’t pause at a sad puppy face to read a story? However, according to the Data Kind #GivingTuesday Insight Report, in years past the largest number of stories submitted focused on civic organizations. The majority of contributions went to educational organizations. 

Even if the contest feels like a long shot to you, keep in mind the collateral benefits. Anytime you engage with others, you get a chance to either spread your mission to new viewers or remind previous supporters of your mission. Also, the story can be used in conjunction with other #GivingTuesday efforts, perhaps increasing total donations for your organization. Aside from monetary donations, the story may help you recruit some new volunteers.

Everyone has a story to tell. Now is your chance to tell it. Use the mass movement of #GivingTuesday to share your organization’s story. It may be the inspiration people need to be pulled into your circle.