How to Market Your Nonprofit on Social Media
Let’s be honest: posting on social media as a nonprofit can feel like shouting into the void.
You spend hours crafting posts… but donations don’t increase, engagement drops, and you start wondering, “Is this even working?”
Here’s the truth: marketing your nonprofit on social media isn’t about being everywhere.
It’s about being intentional — showing up where your audience is, sharing stories that connect, and turning awareness into action.
Let’s break down how to do it step-by-step.
1. Know Who You’re Talking To
Before you create a single post, get crystal clear on who you’re trying to reach.
Ask yourself:
Who is most likely to support your mission?
What do they care about?
Which platform do they use most (Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, TikTok)?
💡 Example:
If your nonprofit helps youth education, your donors might be parents, teachers, or community sponsors — people who spend time on Facebook and LinkedIn.
Knowing this helps you focus your time (and energy) on the right platform.
2. Create Stories, Not Sales Pitches
People don’t follow nonprofits for stats — they follow stories that make them feel something.
Try these types of posts:
Impact Stories: before-and-after moments your donors made possible.
Behind-the-Scenes: volunteers working, events being prepped, real moments.
Quick Wins: “Your donations helped feed 45 families this week.”
Thank-You Posts: public gratitude builds trust and inspires others to join.
Stat: According to Nonprofit Source, nonprofits that post consistent storytelling content see up to 200% more engagement than those that only post promotional updates.
3. Plan Your Content Ahead
Consistency beats creativity when it comes to growth.
Use a simple content calendar to plan what to post, when, and where.
You can structure it like this:
Tip: Tools like Later, Buffer, or Meta Business Suite make scheduling easy (and free for small accounts).
4. Leverage Video and Reels
Short-form video is king in 2025.
Whether it’s Instagram Reels, TikTok clips, or YouTube Shorts — real, authentic storytelling always wins.
Ideas:
A volunteer explaining why they serve.
A team member sharing a milestone.
A day-in-the-life of your programs.
🎥 You don’t need expensive gear — your phone and good lighting are enough.
5. Engage Like a Human, Not a Brand
Your comment section is not a chore — it’s community-building.
Reply personally to comments, welcome new followers, and comment on other nonprofits’ posts.
Engagement is a two-way street: the more you give, the more visibility you get.
That’s called inbound and outbound engagement, and it’s one of the easiest organic growth hacks most nonprofits overlook.
6. Use Paid Ads (Smartly)
Even a small ad budget can make a huge difference.
Start with $5–$10/day on Facebook or Instagram and promote:
Your donation campaigns
Event registrations
Storytelling videos that already perform well organically
💡 Combine this with your Google Ad Grant ($10,000/month in free ad credits) to reach donors searching for causes like yours.
7. Measure What Matters
Don’t chase vanity metrics (likes, follows). Track what leads to action:
Clicks to your donation page
Email sign-ups
Volunteer sign-ups
Recurring donors
Use tools like Meta Insights, Google Analytics, or Bitly links to track performance.
If a post drives conversions — make more like it.
At Socials Runway Marketing Consultancy, we help nonprofits simplify their marketing so they can focus on impact, not algorithms.
We’re a boutique marketing studio that builds social media strategies, systems, and campaigns that actually work — from storytelling to ads.
Looking for a nonprofit marketing agency in the U.S. to help with social media growth? Schedule a free strategy call.
