Nonprofit Social Media Tips to Boost Engagement and Donations

Get the free On Demand version here.

Social media is one of the most powerful and affordable ways to grow your nonprofit’s visibility, attract new donors, and deepen engagement with your community. In this blog post based on a recent CharityHowTo webinar, you'll learn real-world strategies from experts on how to use platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn to drive results. 

Know Your Audience First

Before creating content, make sure you understand who you're trying to reach. Ask yourself:

• Who is your ideal donor or supporter?
• Where do they spend their time online?
• What content resonates with them (stories, stats, behind-the-scenes)?

Pro Tip: Use social media insights or free tools like Meta’s Audience Insights to learn more about your followers’ demographics and behavior.

Start with Instagram and Facebook

These platforms remain the top channels for nonprofit outreach:

📸 Instagram

• Focus on storytelling through visuals

• Use Stories, Reels, and Carousels for higher reach

• Engage via polls, questions, and DMs

📘 Facebook

• Great for community building and donations

• Join or create groups for your niche

• Post 3–5 times/week to stay visible

💡 Tip: Don’t stress about posting daily. Quality and consistency beat volume.

Optimize Your Social Profiles

Your social media bio is prime real estate. Make it count:

• Use a clear profile image (your logo or a team photo)
• Add a concise, mission-driven description
• Link to your website, donation page, or Linktree
• Use call-to-actions like “Get Involved” or “Donate Today”

Create a Content Strategy That Works

Having a plan is the key to staying consistent and intentional. Here's a simple 3-step framework:

1. Plan weekly content themes (e.g. Mission Monday, Testimonial Tuesday)

2. Mix up your formats — video, carousel, photo, text, and live

3. Repurpose content — a blog can become 3-5 posts across platforms

Tools like Canva, Publer, or Buffer can help you create and schedule content in advance.

Engage Like a Human

Don’t just broadcast—engage. The algorithm rewards meaningful interaction:

• Respond to every comment and DM
• Ask questions in your captions
• Like and comment on posts from your community and partners

🤝 Social media is a conversation, not a one-way street. Engage daily, even 10 minutes can make a difference.

Use Hashtags Wisely

Hashtags increase discoverability. Here’s how to use them smartly:

🔹 Facebook: 1–3 relevant hashtags
🔹 Instagram: 10–15 targeted hashtags per post
🔹 LinkedIn: 3–5 hashtags with a professional focus

Avoid using overly generic hashtags like #nonprofit alone. Pair them with niche ones like #AnimalRescueChicago or #YouthMentoring2025.

When to Consider Paid Ads

You don’t need a huge budget to make an impact with ads:

• Start with $100–$250 to test ads
• Use Facebook Ads Manager—not just the “Boost” button
• Promote high-performing posts like videos or testimonials

Pro Tip: Retarget past donors or website visitors for better ROI.

Final Thoughts

You don’t need to be everywhere to be effective. Focus on the platforms that matter most to your mission, engage consistently, and build content that tells your story.

Want to go deeper? Watch the full CharityHowTo webinar to learn expert-backed tips to level up your nonprofit’s social media strategy.

#SocialMediaForGood #NonprofitMarketing #DigitalFundraising #CharityHowTo