WyoGives Day on July 15 is Wyoming's largest statewide day of giving to local nonprofits. Hundreds of nonprofits from across the state join together to fundraise and bring in new supporters. In addition to individual donations, participating organizations earn matching funds that help stretch every gift even further.

For Better Wyoming, WyoGives Day is one of the most important days of the year. But not for the reason that you think.

Yes, it helps raise the funds we need to support our work organizing communities, building leaders, and engaging voters. Matching gifts and donations raised during the day help make that work possible.

But WyoGives is about more than fundraising.

It's one of our best opportunities to introduce new folks to Better Wyoming and bring more of them into the movement that we are building together. 

Every new donor who gives on WyoGives Day is more than a contribution. They're someone who now knows about our work. Someone who may attend a chapter meeting, respond to a call to action, and join in on our work to build a better Wyoming.

Building up the number of people who are connected to and involved with Better Wyoming is central to our mission. The more people we bring together who are informed about the issues and prepared to take action, the greater impact we can have. Fundraising is basebuilding.

Your outreach matters

You might see lots of nonprofits sending out messages on or around WyoGives Day, including us.

But no matter how many emails, texts, or social media posts we send, they can't compete with your personal recommendation. 

When you ask a friend, family member, coworker, or neighbor to support a cause you care about, people are going to listen. A personal fundraising “ask” is one of the most powerful ways to introduce someone to Better Wyoming.

How you can help

On WyoGives Day, July 15, here are a few things you can do to help out.

• Donate to Better Wyoming!
• Text a few friends and ask them to make a gift, as well.
• Talk with friends and neighbors about why Better Wyoming matters to you.
• Forward one of our WyoGives emails to a friend that you think it will resonate with.
• Post our WyoGives link to social media (there is even a nifty feature that you can use to track your fundraising success)

Every conversation you start and person you invite to join us helps grow this movement. On July 15, spread the word on why you support Better Wyoming.

But what should I say to ask someone to give?

There is no right way to encourage someone to make a donation and to join our movement. The trick is to be yourself. Share your story, no matter how trivial you think it is, about why you care and contribute to this work. Being authentic will do more to motivate someone than any message we craft. 

Here are the elements you may need…

The reason why you care: Explain why you got involved. What is at stake that made you join our cause? Why does this work matter to you?

The reason why you support Better Wyoming: Share what made you choose Better Wyoming. Was it the people? The mission? An action you were involved in? Let them know why this organization has earned your trust and support.

The ask: Finally, be clear about what you're asking someone to do. Invite them to make a gift on WyoGives Day and let them know why giving that day matters.

Example: “Feeling frustrated with some of the decisions coming out of Cheyenne, I was looking at ways to get involved and have my voice be heard. I joined Better Wyoming to stay informed of what was going on and started taking some actions with them. Getting involved let me feel like I had a say in the decisions shaping my community. Please join me in making a contribution to Better Wyoming today on WyoGives Day.”