For many nonprofits, standing out on social media takes more than just consistent posting. You pour your heart into content, spend hours planning campaigns, and still – crickets. If your organization struggles with low engagement, slow supporter response, or stagnant growth, you are not alone. The good news? There are proven strategies that can help you get “unstuck” and start seeing real results.
At Achieve, we work exclusively with nonprofits, and we have seen firsthand how the right tweaks can turn a struggling social presence into a thriving community.
Why Social Media Still Matters for Nonprofits
It might feel tempting to throw in the towel, but social media is far from dead. In fact:
- 72% of Americans use social media daily.
- The average user spends over 2 hours per day across multiple platforms.
- One in three Facebook users has made a purchase directly through the platform.
- Over $5 billion has been raised through Facebook and Instagram’s fundraising tools.
Your supporters are already online. The question is, are you meeting them where they are?
Take a Step Back: Evaluate Your Current Strategy
Before jumping into solutions, it is important to assess where you stand.
- What social channels are you using?
- How often are you posting on each platform?
- Are you incorporating any paid advertising?
- Who exactly are you trying to reach? Donors, volunteers, clients, corporate sponsors, etc.?
- Do your goals match the platforms and content you are using?
Look at your audience insights on each platform. You might find some surprises that can inform your next steps.
Common Signs You Are Stuck (and How to Fix Them)
Low Engagement
If your posts are getting few likes, comments, or shares, it is time to check your engagement rate. A healthy nonprofit engagement rate on social media typically falls between 4% and 7%.
To calculate a posts engagement rate:
Engagement Rate = Likes + Comments + Shares/Total Followers ×100
If your engagement rate is low, consider:
- Posting more consistently (use a scheduler to plan ahead).
- Creating more shareable, audience-centered content.
- Testing different formats like video, polls, or carousel posts.
- Leveraging trending topics using tools like TikTok’s Creative Center.
Struggling to Gain Followers
Building an audience takes more than posting great content. You need to get your content in front of new eyes.
- Create “lookalike audiences” through Meta Ads to find new people similar to your existing donors or website visitors.
- Use interest-based ad targeting to reach community members who care about your mission.
- Make your content shareable to encourage organic growth.
Benchmark Tip: For every 1,000 email subscribers, nonprofits typically have about 736 Facebook followers, 229 X(Twitter) followers, and 141 Instagram followers.
Need help growing your audience?
Our team at Achieve specializes in developing targeted follower growth campaigns that connect nonprofits with the right supporters. If you’re ready to expand your reach without wasting valuable resources, we are here to help.
Minimal Response to Calls-to-Action
If you are asking supporters to donate or take action and getting little response, the problem may not be the ask – it could be the process.
- Make it easy to donate with mobile-friendly website design.
- Don’t overlook social fundraising tools like Facebook Donate Buttons or Instagram Fundraisers.
- Tie donation amounts to tangible outcomes (for example, “$84 provides one month of after-school care”).
- Focus on emotional storytelling that emphasizes impact over dollar amounts.
Pro Tip: Consider running low-cost conversion ad campaigns retargeting your existing supporters for better results.
Want to drive more action from your supporters?
Whether you need more donations, event registrations, or volunteer sign-ups, our expert team can deliver campaigns that focus on outcomes – not just clicks. We will work with you to get cost-effective ad results that move your mission forward.
Leverage Your Existing Data
Your nonprofit already has valuable data you can use. Instead of always chasing new “cold audiences”, focus first on your existing “warm audiences” like:
- Social media followers
- Existing donor and email lists
- Your website visitors
- People who have engaged with your social channels in the past
You can create retargeting campaigns or special appeals just for them. These audiences are more likely to respond because they already know you and are interested in your cause.
Already have a strong supporter base? Let’s make the most of it.
Achieve can help you re-engage your “warm audiences” – the people most likely to donate, volunteer, or advocate for your cause. Unlock better results by reaching the right people at the right time!
Proving Your Results
At the end of the day, leadership and stakeholders want to see impact. To prove your social media ROI:
- Track conversions with tools like Meta Pixel, LinkedIn Insight Tags, and UTM tracking links.
- Analyze where your web traffic and donations are coming from.
- Report monthly on key metrics like engagement rates, follower growth, website clicks, and online gifts.
If you are driving supporters to third-party platforms for donations, consider creative workarounds like segmented donation pages (that don’t live in your site navigation) or unique promo codes (when selling event tickets) for better tracking insights.
Better data means better decisions.
Achieve offers tailored nonprofit web solutions, from segmented donation pages to custom tracking integrations, so you can clearly measure what is working. If you’re ready to prove your social media ROI with confidence, we can help.
Social Media Is Always Evolving
There is no perfect, set-it-and-forget-it formula. Social media changes fast. Successful nonprofit marketers stay flexible, track what works, and are not afraid to test new ideas.
Remember: Social media is a conversation, not a billboard. Your supporters want to be heard as much as they want to hear from you.
Need Help Reaching Your Audience?
If your cause is ready to move beyond the frustration of low social media engagement and stalled growth, Achieve is here to do the heavy lifting. We have partnered with hundreds of nonprofits across the country to create and manage full-service digital strategies that connect organizations with the right audiences, drive action, and grow their impact.
Explore our free nonprofit resources or contact us today to start building a strategy that gets real results.
