Supporters Toolkit
#GivingTuesday, the world’s largest day of giving, is coming up on Tuesday, December 2nd, and Best Buddies needs your help getting more people to join us in supporting our mission! With your network, you can spread Best Buddies’ message of friendship and inclusion to more people and skyrocket the chance of more donations.
Plus, our generous friends at Jersey Mike’s are double-matching every gift 2:1, up to $1.32M! The state that raises the most funds for Best Buddies starting on #GivingTuesday through December 31st will have bragging rights as the 2025 Best Buddies State Showdown winner!
Social Media
Social media is critical to the success of #GivingTuesday and the State Showdown. It not only helps Best Buddies fundraise, but it also brings brand awareness to those who may not be familiar with our mission yet.
Hash Tags
Hashtags have become a powerful tool to increase engagement with new audiences. Consider using them in your posts when promoting Best Buddies on (and leading up to) #GivingTuesday and through the end of the year! Here are some popular ones you could try:
- #NonProfit – 7.5 mill
- #Donate – 7.2 mill
- #GiveBack – 5.3 mill
- #GivingTuesday – 1.9 mill
Sample Posts
Below are suggested social media posts and a timeline. Before #GivingTuesday, educate your social networks about #GivingTuesday and tell them why they should support Best Buddies on that day. On the day-of, continue to post regularly and emphasize a sense of urgency. Afterwards, thank your friends and family who donated and tell them what an impact they have had.
Join me in supporting @BestBuddies this #GivingTuesday so that people with intellectual and developmental disabilities throughout <State> can experience meaningful friendships like Elise and Kara.
Plus, thanks to our generous friends at Jersey Mike’s, every donation will be double-matched 2:1, up to $1.32M! The state that raises the most funds for Best Buddies starting on #GivingTuesday through December 31st will have bragging rights as the 2025 Best Buddies State Showdown winner!
Let’s help <State> win Best Buddies’ #StateShowdown: bestbuddies.org/stateshowdown
“It’s been really cool to be able to work together in Best Buddies and help spread inclusion while continuing to be buds and keep hanging out like we love doing. One thing I’ve learned through this experience is that people can be so quick to look past certain people because of things they aren’t used to and I feel really bad for those people, because hanging out with Aidan is some of my favorite times. We have the weirdest conversations. Had I looked past him, I would have missed out on the coolest friendship ever and would not have taken nearly as many selfies.” -Sam
Join me in supporting friendships like Sam and Aidan’s with a donation to @BestBuddies this holiday season (bestbuddies.org/stateshowdown)! Together we can put an end to social isolation for the 200 million people around the world who have intellectual and developmental disabilities! Plus, every gift will be double-matched, 2:1, up to $1.32M by Jersey Mike’s through December 31st!
Did you know that 83% of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities are unemployed? Let’s support @BestBuddies this #GivingTuesday in changing the narrative by helping these individuals find their dream jobs and opportunities they deserve!
Plus, our generous friends at Jersey Mike’s are double-matching 2:1 every gift up to $1.32M through December 31st! The state that raises the most funds for Best Buddies will have bragging rights as the 2025 Best Buddies State Showdown winner! bestbuddies.org/stateshowdown
@BestBuddies gives people with intellectual and developmental disabilities all over the world, like Charlie, the platform to raise their voices and shine without judgment. Please join me in supporting Best Buddies in <State> this holiday season! (bestbuddies.org/stateshowdown)
Plus, our generous friends at Jersey Mike’s are double-matching 2:1 every gift up to $1.32M through December 31st! The state that raises the most funds for Best Buddies will have bragging rights as the 2025 Best Buddies State Showdown winner!
People with intellectual and developmental disabilities have dreams and ambitions for their future, just like anyone else. Best Buddies helps people like Vanessa believe in herself through opportunities to thrive in all phases of life – including living inclusively and independently.
Plus, our generous friends at Jersey Mike’s are double-matching 2:1 every gift up to $1.32M through December 31st! The state that raises the most funds for Best Buddies will have bragging rights as the 2025 Best Buddies State Showdown winner! bestbuddies.org/stateshowdown
Is there anything a parent wants more in life than for their child to be loved and accepted for exactly who they are? Donate to @BestBuddies this holiday season and help build more inclusive communities for families like sweet little Benji’s!
Plus, our generous friends at Jersey Mike’s are double-matching 2:1 every gift up to $1.32M through December 31st! The state that raises the most funds for Best Buddies will have bragging rights as the 2025 Best Buddies State Showdown winner! bestbuddies.org/stateshowdown
Tips to remember!
- These posts are to get you started so feel free to create your own.
- There’s a reason you fell in love with Best Buddies. Share it! Your story is more powerful than anything we could draft for you.
- Consider also posting reels IN ADDITION to static images. Reels get priority placement over static images on Instagram!
- A great time to post is from 12:00 PM – 7:00 PM. Post at least twice!
- Tag friends and family.
- Be sure to respond quickly to comments to keep your audience engaged! If you know someone who gave, try putting a Thank You Post directly on their page to make them feel extra special.
- For Instagram posts, you’ll have to add “Link in bio” to caption. Make sure you add the link to bio.
- For Instagram posts, add “link in bio” text directly after the last sentence. Move hashtags to next line.
- Double check the link after posting to ensure its linked correctly!
Facebook Fundraisers
Facebook fundraisers are an excellent way to raise funds and awareness for Best Buddies on #Giving Tuesday. Click below for instructions on how to set one up and feel free to personalize the sample text so your network knows how important our mission is to you!
Set-Up Instructions (HERE)
Personal Outreach
If you feel moved to promote further and take your support of Best Buddies and the State Showdown to the next level, you might consider sending personal text messages, or even making a few phone calls, to people within your network. Check out the sample messaging below and let your people know how they can support a wonderful cause this holiday season!
Sample Text Message, Call Script & Email (Sample Text Message, Call Script & Email.pdf)
Sample Generic Social Media Posts (Sample Generic Social Media Posts.pdf)