We’re getting close to #GivingTuesday 2016:  November 29.  Is your organization ready to be a part of this powerful, annual tradition of giving?

The fourth year of #GivingTuesday (2015) set another milestone:  an estimated $116.7 million in donations were made on December 1, 2015 – a 181% increase over 2014. What’s in store for 2016?

A solid plan for the big day will increase your chances of fundraising success.

Want ideas for mapping out your #GivingTuesday plan?  Click here for the JB+A #GivingTuesday Guide.

Don’t forget to register to see Asha Curran, one of the innovators behind #GivingTuesday, on September 15 at the Kauffman Foundation Conference Center, part of Nonprofit Connect’s 501(c)Success National Speaker Series.

Here are some quick tips for getting started now:

• Examine last year’s results
  Gather input from staff, volunteers and donors who participated in #GivingTuesday.  What went well?  What are areas for improvement?  Look at your data.  Did you hit your goals?

• Set goals
  Do you want to raise awareness?  Attract volunteers?  Raise dollars?  Clearly defining your goals and objectives will help you map out tactics.

• Gather your resources
  Do you have everyone and everything you need for the big day?  #GivingTuesday has lots of moving parts:  people, content and platforms, just to name a few.  Make a list of activities and who’s responsible.

• Start ramping up on social media
  Send out “Save the Date” reminders.  Put a banner on your website.  Add a footnote about #GivingTuesday to your newsletters and blog pieces. Let your friends and followers know you are gearing up for the big day.

• Brainstorm
  Do you have a specific project that has #GivingTuesday appeal?  Who could be a matching donor to double the impact to your organization? How can you tell your organization’s story concisely and creatively?