{"id":29335,"date":"2024-07-31T00:00:38","date_gmt":"2024-07-31T07:00:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pro-migration.local\/?p=29335"},"modified":"2025-06-10T11:36:40","modified_gmt":"2025-06-10T18:36:40","slug":"employer-micro-communities","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gofundme.to\/__proxy\/pro.gofundme.com\/c\/blog\/employer-micro-communities\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Uncover Micro-Communities with Employer Data"},"content":{"rendered":"

This blog was written in collaboration with the team at Double the Donation<\/a>, an online donation matching tool built to amplify nonprofit fundraising.<\/em><\/p>\n

You\u2019re likely familiar with the idea of community-driven fundraising. But what does it truly mean? And how do workplace giving programs like matching gifts play a role?<\/span><\/p>\n

A thriving community is a <\/span>nonprofit’s greatest asset<\/span><\/a> for expanding and deepening supporter loyalty. However, two things must happen for this type of community to form: shared interest and ongoing communication. In other words, these elements must exist to build a sustainable group of advocates for your cause.<\/span><\/p>\n

When rallying communities within your greater network of support, employer information is one of the best places to start. After all, communities reflect who people <\/span>are\u2060<\/span><\/i>\u2014and a person\u2019s career is often one of the most influential aspects of their identity.<\/span><\/p>\n

In this guide, we\u2019ll walk you through the steps involved in forming, locating, and engaging micro-communities using your employment data\u2060\u2014and how that can impact your corporate fundraising strategies.<\/span><\/p>\n\n

According to a <\/span>recent BWF study<\/span><\/a>, <\/span>when a nonprofit\u2019s donors are friends with others who also support the organization, their lifetime value for the cause increases by more than four times<\/b>. Meanwhile, <\/span>Classy research<\/span><\/a> indicates that <\/span>nearly 40% of survey respondents see donating as a form of self-expression<\/b>. If someone sees giving as a part of their self-identity, they\u2019re more inclined to get involved. That\u2019s an excellent demonstration of the power of community.<\/span><\/p>\n

Keep reading to find out how your team can reap these benefits and more.<\/span><\/p>\n

Look through donor data to uncover employment insights<\/span><\/h2>\n

The first step in building employment-based micro-communities is understanding where your supporters work. For that, you\u2019ll need to establish a mechanism for collecting comprehensive and up-to-date employment information directly from your supporters.<\/span><\/p>\n

To <\/span>harness your fullest potential<\/span><\/a>, we recommend soliciting employment data within your <\/span>donation forms\u2060<\/span><\/a> each time an individual gives (or otherwise engages with your cause).\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n\"Classy\n

Fortunately, this is quick and easy to do with a <\/span>modern data stack<\/span><\/a> such as Classy\u2019s integrated solution with Double the Donation.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Feature Spotlight: 360MatchPro\u2019s Top Companies Report<\/h3>\n\"360MatchPro\u2019s\n

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Identify and analyze trends in your employment data using Double the Donation\u2019s Top Companies Report tool. Access helpful insights such as the leading 10, 25, or 50 employers represented in your donor base to uncover the best opportunities for corporate partner prospects from your network.<\/p>\n

Keep in mind that the most essential data point is an individual\u2019s employer\u2060. However, you may also glean insights and trends from engagement history, role, team or department, location, and other demographic data.<\/span><\/p>\n

Leverage existing data to activate micro-communities<\/span><\/h2>\n

Picture this:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

You\u2019re at the office donning a T-shirt for a local charitable organization you support. A colleague joins you at the coffee station and remarks on your shirt, letting you know they\u2019re a monthly donor for the same nonprofit.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

This sparks a conversation about your personal relationships with the cause, your history with the organization, and more. Meanwhile, a third co-worker overhears and joins in\u2060, informing you that they, too, are avid supporters of the cause. They even introduce the idea of building a team for an upcoming fundraising event.<\/span><\/p>\n

By the end of your chat, you feel a newfound bond with the individuals with whom you share this nonprofit passion\u2060\u2014and you\u2019ve experienced a strengthened connection to the organization. In other words, you\u2019ve formed a micro-community.<\/span><\/p>\n

In this example, the colleagues only discovered their shared devotion to the organization\u2019s mission by chance. But it also illustrates the importance of connection\u2060 and begs the question: <\/span>What if you had a reliable way to uncover these micro-communities<\/span><\/i> and jump-start shared connections?<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

That\u2019s where your nonprofit\u2019s data comes in.<\/b><\/p>\n

If you know that several donors work for company XYZ, you\u2019ve identified the potential for a micro-community. From there, you can aim to connect them, rallying their support to engage other colleagues as well. For example, this could mean donating to a specific campaign, attending a dedicated event, participating in a peer-fundraising challenge, and more.<\/span><\/p>\n

Use employee micro-communities to form deeper connections with corporate partners<\/span><\/h2>\n

When looking for the <\/span>best potential partners for your organization<\/span><\/a>, you likely seek prospects with a natural alignment and existing connections to your cause. Those with whom you share micro-communities of engaged employees can be the perfect fit.<\/span><\/p>\n

All you need to do is highlight that a significant number of employees already support your organization. This demonstrates a strong foundation for a potential partnership, with preexisting employee enthusiasm working as a powerful selling point.<\/span><\/p>\n

Here are a couple of tips to craft your communications:<\/span><\/p>\n