How Boards Supercharge #Giving Tuesday

Giving Tuesday has stretched far beyond a hashtag moment—it is now one of the most influential giving days on the planet. With over $3.1 billion raised in the U.S. in 2023—a record-breaking 15% jump from the year before—this day has become a high-impact moment where nonprofits activate new donors, deepen loyalty, and spark momentum for the year ahead.

But here’s the truth: staff cannot carry this day alone. Boards have the power, networks, and credibility to turn Giving Tuesday from a hopeful fundraiser into a strategic, mission-moving win.

Below are the keyways your board can supercharge this important day.

1. Lead by Example

The board’s primary role in fundraising—including Giving Tuesday—is to model generosity. According to the 2023 CCS Philanthropy Pulse Report, 84% of donors say they trust nonprofits more when board members are financially invested.

Early board gifts:

• Signal confidence in the mission

• Set the tone for the donor community

• Give staff stronger footing when asking others to give

I've said if before. I'll say it again. When board members give first, their own fundraising asks become more authentic and more effective. Donors can sense when board members are personally invested—and they respond.

2. Amplify the Message

Giving Tuesday’s reach is massive, but it grows exponentially when board members share your message. In 2023, peer influence drove more than half of all donor actions on Giving Tuesday.

Boards bring diverse networks—professional, personal, civic, and social—that nonprofits could never reach alone.

Give your board a Points of Pride toolkit with:

• Sample social posts

• Graphics

• Email templates

• Talking points

• Campaign goals

  
  

When board members talk, people listen—and often give.

3. Utilize Peer-to-Peer Fundraising

Peer-to-peer (P2P) continues to outperform traditional appeals, attracting more new donors and younger donors. In 2023, P2P campaigns generated 30–40% more individual donors on average.

Board members can create personal fundraising pages and:

• Set their own goals

• Tell their connection story

• Rally their networks

• Celebrate their impact

  
  

This personal touch invites donors who would have never found your organization on their own.

4. Offer Matching Gift Opportunities

Matching gifts are Giving Tuesday gold.

Research shows:

• Donations increase 51% when a match is offered

• 1 in 3 donors is more likely to give if their gift is doubled.

  
  

Board members can:

• Offer a personal match

• Collaborate as a group

• Secure a corporate or foundation match

  
  

Matches add urgency, excitement, and a feeling of multiplied impact—powerful motivators for donors.

5. Provide Strategic Oversight

Giving Tuesday shouldn’t be a random day of fundraising—it should plug into your organization’s larger development strategy.

Boards can help staff define success by setting clear goals, such as:

• A specific dollar amount

• Number of new donors

• Returning donor rate

• Social engagement metrics

  
  

Boards ensure that Giving Tuesday aligns with long-term organizational goals rather than operating as a one-off campaign that starts and ends in 24 hours.

6. Steward Donor Relationships

Giving Tuesday is not the finish line—it’s the starting point for deeper engagement.

Donor retention remains low across the sector (hovering around 25% for first-time donors), but stewardship dramatically increases it .

Boards can help by:

• Calling donors to thank them

• Sending handwritten notes

• Leaving short thank-you videos (my favorite)

• Acknowledging peer-to-peer fundraisers

  
  

Thoughtful stewardship turns one-time givers into long-term believers.

7. Review and Learn from the Results

After the big day, reflection is key.

Boards should participate in the Giving Tuesday debrief to analyze:

• What worked

• What didn’t

• Which board strategies had the biggest impact

• Where donor engagement spiked

• What to improve next year

  
  

Organizations that refine their Giving Tuesday plan annually typically increase year-over-year results by 20–40%.

Conclusion

Giving Tuesday shines brightest when your board shows up with intention, influence, and investment. When they give early, amplify boldly, leverage their networks, steward donors, and help connect the day to long-term strategy, they transform Giving Tuesday from “another fundraising push” into a powerful moment of community belief in your mission.

When your board is activated, aligned, and accountable, Giving Tuesday doesn’t just raise money—

And as The Board Pro, I’ll say it plainly: A great Giving Tuesday isn’t powered by luck. It’s powered by leadership. Invite your board to step up and step into its power!