1. Build a Great Badge.

The best badges have a personal photo, a compelling and tangible reason to give, and a clear call to action. Use the limited space on the badge to make a strong, authentic appeal, and consider including your name in the text. Use the “my video” link to link to video or online slide shows if you have them.

Tip for nonprofits: The badge can be created by you and your organization, or you can ask a highly involved donor or board member to be the voice of the badge, with their thoughts on why people should support your nonprofit. Link to compelling video or online slide shows if you have them.

2. Donate to Your Own Badge.

People like to feel they are part of a larger effort. It’s not inspiring to see zero donations on a badge, so donate to your own badge to get fundraising momentum started for your cause.

Tip for nonprofits: Ask your closest supporters – staff, board members, friends – to bring a laptop to social events, church meetings or other gatherings when they can talk about your cause and ask people to donate on the spot.

3. Post the Badge on Your Site, Blog(s) and Email Signature.

Put the badge on your website or blog. You can also put a link to the badge URL in your email signature. Put a photo in the signature that is hyperlinked to the URL to grab more attention.

Tip for nonprofits: Put the badge on the home page of your website. Do the same on your nonprofits’ blog(s), and post an entry about your efforts that encourages people to submit comments and ideas for getting the word out. You can also put a link to the badge URL in your staff email signatures. Put a photo in the signature that is hyperlinked to the URL to grab more attention.

4. Send a Link to the Badge to People in Your Email Address Book.

Send the badge link to people in your email address book. Ask for donations and encourage these contacts to forward your email to others.

Tip for nonprofits: Email your donors and volunteers, targeting the call to action to the level of supporter they are. For your steadiest, most enthusiastic supporters, ask them to post the badge on their email signatures, websites or blogs and encourage them to pass it on to their own friends and family. Ask your staff to spread your organization’s badge among their networks, too.

5. Ask Bloggers to Join Your Cause.

Go to technorati.com and search for blogs that are focused on your issue. Tell bloggers about your campaign and ask them to post on your efforts. They have a circle of active readers who are likely to care about your cause.

Tip for nonprofits:  Reach out to your blogger community and tell them about a current campaign or call to action that will inspire them to include a link to your Charity Badge in their next post.

6. Thank People and Report Back on Progress.

Tell your friends and family about  the progress you’re making for your important cause, so they feel good about themselves and the difference you’re making together.

Tip for nonprofits:  Use your Donation Tracking Report (https://www.networkforgood.org/Npo/reports) to monitor donations and thank people quickly. Tell them the progress you’re making for your important cause, so they feel good about themselves and the difference you’re making together. Here's a great example of thanking donors.

NOTE: you will need Flash Player in order to see the charity badge on a web page; if you or any of your supporters do not have this, you can use the 'link to your badge' option from the tab that says 'share'.