A year spent apart along with an increasing reliance on digital tools to connect leave most of us longing for more genuine togetherness. This longing may include belonging to a community that reinforces our ideals, supports our values, and inspires us to work together toward the greater good.
Your work as a mission-driven organization facilitates this sense of community as you support a wide variety of stakeholders – donors, staff, board members, constituents, and indirect beneficiaries of your programs. All these individuals have unique stories to tell regarding your organization’s work and its impact.
How can you harness all this goodness in a way that serves your stakeholders and your organization for the greater good? Through leveraging digital tools that fuel connection.
Here are three ways to create a sense of community with your constituents:
1. Offer roundtables or town hall events (virtual or in-person).
Gearing up for your end-of-year fundraising campaign? Recently released your social impact report? Build excitement and buzz surrounding your latest happenings through an event. Brand the event and share specific reasons why the event's topic is relevant to the audience. No need to develop an extensive plan – schedule an Instagram live or Zoom for a particular constituent group and facilitate a Q&A to drive engagement.
2. Leverage user-generated content on social media.
Ask your supporters to post photos of event participation and share stories of their connection with your cause. Encourage the use of designated hashtags, so followers can track posts, reach out, and make introductions with one another.
3.Utilize StratusLIVE Ignite, Community Hub.
The most beneficial communities inspire their members, share helpful resources, and allow them to work toward the greater good. Mission-driven organizations have the unique ability to facilitate these connections and offer support for those with shared experiences.
StratusLIVE Ignite, Community Hub, is the digital community your constituents are looking for to bond over shared experiences, offer and seek advice, and work toward collective goals. (Added bonus: by opening these lines of communication, you develop a donor acquisition strategy that makes the ask easier). Take a look at the features of Community Hub here.
The world needs more passionate, philanthropic individuals driven to enact social good. Mission-driven nonprofit organizations are conveners of that good. With the help of nonprofit technology, you can connect the dots for your constituents, drive engagement with your organization, and add value to their lives.