TikTok has quickly become one of the world’s biggest social media platforms, available in over 160 countries with over 1.1 billion users globally. As of 2023, TikTok has 1.5 billion monthly active users and is expected to reach 1.8 billion by the end of 2024. The app has been downloaded over four billion times worldwide, including more than 220 million times in the United States alone, highlighting its vast and growing influence.

Initially, 2020 marked a turning point for TikTok as people downloaded it to stay entertained during quarantine. Its popularity has since continued to soar, with 32.5% of U.S. users between ages 10-19 and 29.5% between 20-29. However, the platform’s appeal is broadening, with users aged 30-39 now comprising 16.4%, followed by 13.9% aged 40-49 and 7.1% aged 50 and older. This shift shows that TikTok’s user base is aging up, making it an ideal time to connect with a wider audience.

For your nonprofit, TikTok presents a unique opportunity to raise awareness and, more importantly, to fundraise effectively among an engaged, multigenerational audience.

 

Learn the Basics of How to Use TikTok 

 

Fundraising On TikTok

 

If your nonprofit is looking to connect with younger audiences, TikTok offers unique tools for engaging supporters and raising funds. In this guide, we’ll explore how to fundraise on TikTok effectively, covering essential features like Donation Stickers, profile donation links, and LIVE fundraising events that can help expand your reach and inspire donations.

 

How to Get Donations on TikTok withDonation Stickers

 

Back in April 2020, TikTok announced a new feature called “Donation Stickers” that could be added to a creator’s video and live streams. These stickers encouraged viewers to make a donation while remaining on the platform. At first, only a select number of nonprofits could be the recipient of donations on TikTok, but more and more organizations have been added to the list. If Donation Stickers aren’t yet available for your nonprofit, we’ll also cover other effective ways to raise funds on TikTok.

 

How to use Donation Stickers

 

To add Donation Stickers to your TikTok content:

1. Make sure the newest version of the app is downloaded 
2. Decide whether you want to Create, Post, or Go LIVE
3. Add a Donation Sticker from the sticker options 
4. Choose the organization you’d like to support
5. Place the sticker on your video
6. Add your caption with a strong call to action, like “Support our mission—donate now!”
   – Tip: To maximize effectiveness, use Donation Stickers with captions that highlight the impact of each donation, like “Every $10 helps us reach one new family in need.”

 

Display a Fundraiser on Your Profile

 

The newest feature TikTok has added to encourage donations on the platform is the ability for users to display a nonprofit on their profile. Underneath the follow button and bio on the profile page, users can add a link to an organization they’d like to support. This feature is available to every user on the platform, including official nonprofit brand accounts. 

 

 

How to Display a Nonprofit on Your Profile

 

1. Tap on “Me” in the bottom right corner of the app 
2. Choose “Edit Profile” 
3. Then find the Nonprofit section and choose the organization you’d like to add to your profile
4. Once selected, the link to donate to the nonprofit will be listed on your profile and can be changed or removed at any time
   -Tip: Update your profile link regularly to match your latest campaign, and use a bio description that directs visitors to the donation link. For example, “Join us in making a difference—support our cause today!”
   

As mentioned, these features are not available for every nonprofit out there just yet. TikTok has partnered with Tiltify to create these features and they are managing enrollment on a rolling basis. If your organization is not listed, here a couple of things you can do (as recommended by both TikTok and Tiltify).

 

How to Become Eligible for TikTok Fundraising Features

 

1. Build your organization’s presence on TikTok 
2. Sign up for Tiltify 
3. Make sure your organization is an approved charity on Tiltify
4. Register and create an up-to-date charity profile on Benevity Causes
5. Set up Stripe as your payment method on Tiltify

 

Using TikTok LIVE for Fundraising

 

TikTok LIVE offers an excellent opportunity to engage audiences in real-time, share updates, and encourage donations. Here’s how to maximize your LIVE sessions for fundraising.

Before Going LIVE

• Plan your content with a clear fundraising goal in mind. Prepare an outline for a 30-60 minute session, setting up good lighting, sound, and camera framing.
• Promote your LIVE event using TikTok’s event features to ensure your followers know when to tune in.

 

During the LIVE Event

• Engage with your audience by thanking donors by name, which adds a personal touch. Regularly remind viewers of your fundraising goal and provide real-time updates on your progress.

 

• Make the session interactive by answering questions from viewers or inviting a guest related to your cause. This helps build a sense of community and keeps viewers invested in your mission.

 

After the Event

• Use TikTok’s analytics to evaluate the performance of your LIVE session. Metrics like viewership, donations, and follower growth can help you refine future sessions.

 

Creative TikTok Fundraising Ideas

 

If your organization doesn’t have access to Donation Stickers or the profile link feature, you can still use the platform effectively for fundraising. Here are a few strategies to help you gain traction:

 

Hashtag Challenges for Fundraising

 

Creating a custom hashtag challenge can significantly boost your reach and encourage donations. For example, start a hashtag like #SupportOurCause where participants share their own stories related to your mission and encourage others to donate.

– Pro Tip: Partner with an influencer who aligns with your cause to increase the challenge’s visibility and reach more potential supporters.

 

Add This to Your Year-End Fundraising Strategy

 

Fundraising Tips and Best Practices

To keep your audience engaged, create content that tells the story of your mission and shows the impact of donations.

 

Storytelling for Fundraising

 

TikTok is a great platform for storytelling! Whether it’s someone talking to the camera about something impactful or footage from an event, stories allow you to appeal to emotions and inspire action. Include personal stories, updates, or testimonials to connect with viewers on an emotional level.

 

Post Regularly

 

Post content relevant to your mission, and post it multiple times a week. Remember TikTok is all video content, so look to repurpose some video content you may have on hand from Facebook or Instagram campaigns. TikTok runs on trends, so spend some time scrolling the For You page and save any videos you feel like you could remake with your own spin on it.

 

Use Relevant Hashtags

 

Hashtags work very well on TikTok when it comes to reaching new audiences. Use hashtags that are relevant to what’s in the video itself, ones that are currently trending on the platform, and a combination of popular and niche hashtags. Captions aren’t a big deal on TikTok, as most people let the video speak for itself or include text within the video instead. The more hashtags the merrier!

 

Appeal to Emotions

 

TikTok is a great platform for storytelling! Whether that’s someone talking to the camera about something that happened, or it’s footage from an event. Pair with music that fits your narrative and you’re good to go! Be sure to appeal to emotions because people are on this app to be entertained. Leave your audience laughing, crying (in a happy way or a sad way), or inspired! 

 

Summary of Best Practices

 

Implementing these strategies can lead to more brand awareness, a stronger, more engaged community, and more donations. To recap:

• Use Donation Stickers and profile links for direct fundraising.
• Host interactive TikTok LIVE events to connect with viewers in real time.
• Create engaging hashtag challenges to reach broader audiences.
• Share personal stories to create an emotional connection with viewers.

Implementing these strategies can lead to more brand awareness, a stronger more engaged community, connection to the younger generation, and donations!