In fact, in the US alone, there are about 1.9 million registered nonprofits, including public charities, private foundations, and other types of nonprofit organizations. WhatsApp Business presents the opportunity to revolutionize the way non-profits communicate and engage with their supporters, communities, and stakeholders.
In this guide, we will delve into the benefits of using WhatsApp Business for non-profits, how one can use it and more.
Why Should a Non-profit Organization Use WhatsApp Business?
WhatsApp offers unparalleled global reach, with 3 billion active users worldwide, allowing you to engage with a massive audience. It offers you a direct, instant communication channel, enabling you to build trust with supporters and cultivate long-term relationships with them. According to this study, 175 million people interact with businesses on WhatsApp daily.
Unlike email or social media, messages on WhatsApp are more likely to be seen and read. WhatsApp 98-99% open rate for all messages, and 88% of messages are read within 5 minutes, ensuring your messages are read promptly by donors and volunteers, and your mission remains at the top of their minds.
One of the biggest benefits of non-profits using WhatsApp is that it is a cost-effective channel, which eliminates the need to invest heavily in marketing software or paid outreach channels. In addition, WhatsApp Business protects all of your communications and mission-related data, ensuring that no third party can intercept it.
How Can Nonprofits Use WhatsApp Business?
1. Install the WhatsApp Business App
Install a WhatsApp business app on your preferred device, like Android or iOS. Once installed, register it with your business phone number (ensure it is separate from your regular WhatsApp). Verify the number with a 6-digit OTP code generated.
2. Set up WhatsApp Business Profile
First, create a business profile for your nonprofit business. Add your organization’s name, brand logo, email ID, contact details, website link, and business hours. Describe your mission in the description tag so that donors, volunteers, and supporters can get to know who you are and what your goal is.
3. Categorize the contacts
Next, categorize the contacts using labels. Organize your contacts by their relationships – such as donors, volunteers, or partners instead of maintaining a long list of contacts.
For example, if you want to send a message about a fundraiser, you can send it to ‘donors’, or if you want to organize an event, you can send it to ‘volunteers’.
4. Automate Basic Responses
Use WhatsApp’s auto reply features and set automated responses. It is impractical for you or your team to be available 24/7 to reply to messages. So in this scenario, automation will keep your users informed and engaged.
WhatsApp offers features like:
- “greeting messages” that send out welcome messages to new contacts
- “away messages” that let users know when you are not available
- “quick replies” that handle FAQs, for quick turnaround of replies in your absence
5. Use Broadcast Lists
This feature allows you to send single messages to multiple contacts at once. You can send campaign updates, event updates, and reminder texts to the relevant contacts.
Remember, in the broadcast list, the message you sent will be delivered to those people who have saved your number on their WhatsApp.
Therefore, it is important that your contacts save your phone number on their devices, so that your messages appear on their regular WhatsApp feed.
6. Notify Supporters about Your Fundraising Campaign
Briefly explain your fundraising campaign to your audience on your WhatsApp group — highlight its purpose, importance, who you are doing it for, like for the education of underprivileged children, and how their contribution will help to make it a success.
In order to raise funds, share the donation link, UPI ID, or QR code with your supporters. Update them on how much you’ve raised and thank everyone who contributed towards your mission.
How Can Nonprofits Collect Donations from Donors and Supporters Through WhatsApp?
- Determine the amount of funds you want to raise – for instance, “$10,000 for the education of underprivileged children.”
- Create a donation page
- Clearly explain the cause that the donation will support
- Use different donation tiers like $50, $80, $100, etc
- Showcase your past work by sharing photos and videos
- Share your UPI ID or QR code with your WhatsApp group
- Offer different payment options like debit/credit card, net banking, and e-wallets
- Encourage your supporters to spread the word & raise awareness about your cause
What is WhatsApp Business API, and How Can Nonprofits Benefit From It?
WhatsApp Business API is a tool built for medium and large businesses to scale communication with their audience, send bulk messages, automate customer support, and use a chatbot to handle high-volume enquiries.
Nonprofits can use WhatsApp Business API and enhance their communication and engagement with donors, supporters, and volunteers. It is perfect for large donation drives, large-scale awareness campaigns, and sending out mass updates on the progress of your fundraising goals.
What is a Recurring Gift Option, and Why Should Nonprofits Set it Up?
A recurring gift is a donation-seeking option that lets supporters contribute a set amount on a regular basis, like monthly, quarterly, or annually. It actually creates a reliable revenue stream for nonprofits. Instead of a one-time contribution, this option allows donors to donate small amounts in stages.
Recurring donors give five times more on average than one-time donors. Regular donations generate reliable funds each month that nonprofits can use for their services, operations, and essential programs. By sharing your nonprofit’s story in a WhatsApp group, you inspire donors to be connected with your cause and increase the possibility of regular donations.
Final Thoughts
WhatsApp Business is an invaluable solution that nonprofit businesses can use to connect and readily engage with donors and volunteers. It is a mobile-first communication channel that enables you to build & strengthen ties with supporters and accomplish your noble goals.
WhatsApp allows you to give real-time updates to your supporters, which creates a sense of urgency that encourages immediate donations and boosts your fundraising efforts.
Using WhatsApp, nonprofit businesses can boost donor engagement, simplify volunteer coordination, raise funds, and amplify their impact, resulting in a strong community and lasting change in society. Plus, nonprofits can share short, compelling stories or videos about their donation campaigns, making their supporters more connected to the cause.
FAQ
Yes, WhatsApp uses end-to-end encryption, ensuring that messages, calls, and shared documents are accessible only to the sender and receiver. It means that your WhatsApp community group messages cannot be read, listened to, or shared by anyone outside of the chat—not even WhatsApp or Meta.
Yes. WhatsApp marketing is 100% legal for non-profit organizations. Using the official WhatsApp Business API, non-profit businesses can send automated messages to thousands of donors and volunteers at once.
Yes, you can automate donation reminders via WhatsApp. Following that, you can share payment links and confirm registrations.
By sharing their campaign success stories, thanking them for their invaluable support, and staying in regular contact with donors, nonprofits can build a strong relationship with them.
