Episode 45: Midterm Elections Digital Trends Nonprofits Should Leverage

A big election, like the upcoming 2018 midterms, can get people fired up about a variety of issues. Can nonprofits, including 501(c)(3) organizations, take advantage of these political moments to raise awareness, build support, and inspire donors? 

Today’s guest is Colin Delany, the founder of epolitics.com, a site that focuses on digital advocacy and strategy. In this episode, Colin will share some of his knowledge of and thinking about the intersections between nonprofits and politics. 

Topics Discussed This Episode: 

• Where the opportunities might be for nonprofit organizations to move policy decisions during election season
• How organizations can prepare to respond when an issue connected to their cause makes the news
• How organizations can use social media to bring attention to their issues
• How the changes to Facebook may affect nonprofit organizations
• Ways that political campaigns use social media to build success
• How organizations can automate calls to action
• Different ways organizations can train volunteers, such as video and conference calls
• How 501(c)(3) and 501(c)(4) organizations can promote their issues without electioneering
• The importance of keeping supporters motivated. 

Resources: 

Colin Delany

epolitics

Attentive.ly

Blackbaud

Blackbaud - Twitter

Blackbaud - Facebook 

“What we’re selling is emotional satisfaction. We’re offering people the opportunity to feel good about themselves by doing something to help the world.” 

“When you’ve spent all this time and money to build a list, to not get every benefit from it that you can, I think, is really shortsighted.” 

“If you’re out there elevating your issue, that’s not electioneering.”