Reading Time: 3 minutes

LISTEN ON APPLE | LISTEN ON SPOTIFY

This show is brought to you by GivingTuesday! GivingTuesday is a global generosity movement that started in 2012 with a simple idea: a day to do good.

This year, on Tuesday, December 2, 2025, join the conversation: share your favorite nonprofit’s campaign, volunteer for a cause you care about, share an act of kindness, or encourage your audience to do the same.

Use #GivingTuesday, tag @GivingTuesday, and visit GivingTuesday.org/Participate to get involved and inspire others!

How Nonprofits Can Get Featured in Holiday Gift Guides with AI-Powered Pitches
(Bonus Episode)

As the holidays approach, gift lists are everywhere, from Oprah’s Favorite Things to “50 Thoughtful Gifts for Friends.” Millions of people are actively browsing for meaningful presents, and this season your nonprofit could be part of that shopping experience.

Instead of being overlooked for scented candles or sweaters, imagine your monthly giving program featured in a holiday gift guide as the gift that keeps giving. A symbolic gift, nonprofit merchandise, or a subscription-style donation can make a lasting impact and holiday gift guides are one of the best ways to share this opportunity.

In this episode of the Missions to Movements podcast, host Dana Snyder breaks down how nonprofits can pitch their programs and products to editors and influencers and why now is the time to act.

---

Why Holiday Gift Guides Matter for Nonprofits

Gift guides are powerful for three reasons:

1. Timing: They launch October through December, right when people are actively searching for gifts.

2. Visibility: Gift guides live on long after the holidays through shares, backlinks, and AI search results.

3. Positioning: Being featured in a trusted publication or influencer guide builds credibility and elevates your nonprofit as a meaningful giving option.

Whether you’re pitching national outlets like Good Housekeeping or Buzzfeed, local lifestyle magazines, or social impact influencers, gift guides can help your nonprofit reach new audiences.

---

How to Pitch Your Nonprofit for Holiday Gift Guides

Dana shares Gloria Chow’s CPR Method for pitching:

• C = Credibility
  Highlight your nonprofit’s track record in one sentence.
  Example: “As the only regional nonprofit reducing hunger year-round, we’ve supported 2,000 families this year.”

• P = Point of View
  Share a bold or unique angle.
  Example: “Most holiday gifts get used once. This one gives back 12 times a year.”

• R = Relevance
  Tie your pitch directly to the holiday season.
  Example: “With the holidays around the corner, readers are looking for gifts that create lasting change.”

Combine these into a short, compelling email pitch and you’re ready to reach out to editors.

---

What to Offer in a Holiday Gift Guide

Your nonprofit can stand out by positioning:

• Monthly giving programs as subscription-style gifts (3, 6, or 12 months).

• Symbolic gift packages with printable cards or certificates.

• Merchandise with a mission like apparel, candles, or artisan goods.

• Experiences such as tours, tickets, or behind-the-scenes access.

The key is making it easy for editors to see how your nonprofit belongs in their “Gifts That Give Back” section.

---

Action Steps for Your Nonprofit

1. Make a list of at least five relevant gift guides (national, local, influencer, or cause-driven).

2. Draft your pitch using the CPR method: credibility, point of view, relevance.

3. Prep your media assets: photos, logos, sample cards, and one-page info sheets.

4. Start pitching now! Editors finalize their guides in October.

---

Closing Thought

The holidays are a season of generosity. With a thoughtful pitch, your nonprofit’s monthly giving program or giftable impact item could end up in front of thousands of new supporters. As Dana Snyder shares, “Your symbolic gift or monthly program is such a beautiful opportunity to share with somebody during the holiday season. Don’t discount yourself, you belong in these guides.”