In today's digital landscape, non-profit organisations must maintain a strong social media presence to build awareness, engage supporters, and drive meaningful action. Whether your goal is fundraising, increasing volunteering efforts, or growing your audience on social media, the right content strategy can make all the difference.

If you're struggling to come up with fresh social media content ideas for your non-profit, this article provides ten powerful post types designed to enhance engagement and expand your reach.

1. Behind-the-Scenes Content

People love to see the inner workings of an organisation. Sharing behind-the-scenes content helps humanise your non-profit and build trust with your audience. This type of content allows supporters to feel like they are part of the journey, giving them an inside look at the hard work, dedication, and passion that fuels your cause. It also provides a sense of transparency, reinforcing confidence in your organisation's efforts and operations.

Example Post Ideas:

• A day in the life of a volunteer
• Office tour or workspaces of your team
• Packing and preparing supplies for beneficiaries
• Team meetings and brainstorming sessions

Why it Works: Behind-the-scenes content creates transparency, showing donors and supporters how their contributions are being used.

2. Impact Stories and Testimonials

Nothing inspires action more than real-life success stories. Sharing testimonials from those your organisation has helped, as well as from volunteers and donors, is a powerful way to demonstrate the difference your work makes. By featuring personal stories, you can evoke emotions, strengthen connections, and encourage potential supporters to take part in your mission. These stories serve as proof of the tangible impact of your organisation’s efforts, reinforcing trust and credibility.

Example Post Ideas:

• A video interview with someone whose life has been changed by your non-profit
• A written testimonial with a compelling photo
• Before-and-after images showcasing the impact of your work
• A carousel post featuring multiple short stories from beneficiaries

Why it Works: Emotional storytelling fosters connection and encourages more people to support your cause.

3. User-Generated Content (UGC)

Encouraging your audience to create and share content about their experiences with your non-profit is a fantastic way to build community and credibility. User-generated content (UGC) allows supporters to express their passion for your cause while simultaneously promoting your organisation through their own networks. This type of content increases engagement, amplifies reach, and serves as an endorsement that can inspire others to get involved.

Example Post Ideas:

• Feature a volunteer’s social media post about their time helping out
• Share a donor’s story about why they contribute
• Highlight community members advocating for your cause
• Repost event attendees’ photos with their permission

Why it Works: User-generated content builds community, increases engagement, and serves as social proof of your organisation’s impact.

4. Educational and Awareness Posts

Position your non-profit as a thought leader by sharing informative content related to your mission. Raising awareness about the issues you address helps educate your audience and inspire them to take action. Providing valuable insights, statistics, and facts about your cause can establish credibility and strengthen your social media presence, making your non-profit a go-to source for relevant and reliable information.

Example Post Ideas:

• Statistics and facts about the issue you’re addressing
• Myth-busting common misconceptions related to your cause
• A Q&A session about your work
• Tips on how individuals can contribute beyond donations

Why it Works: Educating your audience builds credibility and encourages them to take action.

5. Fundraising Appeals with a Personal Touch

If you want to increase donations, focus on compelling storytelling and clear calls to action. Fundraising appeals should be heartfelt and personal, making donors feel directly connected to the cause. By incorporating real-life experiences, strong narratives, and visually engaging content, you can create a sense of urgency and encourage people to contribute in meaningful ways.

Example Post Ideas:

• A direct appeal with an urgent need and a donation link
• Stories of how previous fundraising efforts have helped
• A fundraising challenge (e.g., “Donate your morning coffee money” campaign)
• A personal message from a beneficiary explaining how donations changed their life

Why it Works: Personalising fundraising appeals makes them more relatable and increases conversion rates.

6. Volunteering Spotlights and Recruitment

Attracting new volunteers is crucial for non-profits. Showcasing the value of volunteering and celebrating those who dedicate their time and effort to your organisation can encourage others to get involved. Highlighting the positive experiences of current volunteers not only recognises their contributions but also helps potential volunteers understand the impact they can make.

Example Post Ideas:

• A profile of a long-time volunteer sharing why they help
• A call-to-action post with clear steps on how to volunteer
• A ‘volunteer of the month’ highlight
• A behind-the-scenes video of volunteers in action

Why it Works: Showing real people making a difference encourages others to get involved.

7. Interactive and Engaging Content

Boost social media engagement by encouraging audience participation. Interactive content allows followers to feel actively involved with your organisation, making them more likely to engage, share, and support your cause. Engaging activities, such as polls, quizzes, and contests, help foster a sense of community and keep your audience interested in your content.

Example Post Ideas:

• Polls and quizzes related to your cause
• “Caption this” photos
• Q&A sessions via Instagram Stories
• Ask followers to tag friends who’d love your mission

Why it Works: Interactive posts drive conversations and increase social media algorithm favourability.

8. Live Videos and Virtual Events

Live streaming offers an authentic way to connect with your audience in real time. Hosting live videos gives supporters a unique, unfiltered look into your organisation’s activities while enabling direct interaction. Whether you are answering questions, giving virtual tours, or hosting online events, live content fosters deeper engagement and helps build a stronger, more engaged community.

Example Post Ideas:

• A live tour of your facilities
• A Q&A with your team or beneficiaries
• A live-streamed fundraising event
• A ‘day in the field’ live update from a project site

Why it Works: Live videos receive high engagement and build stronger relationships with your audience.

9. Seasonal and Trending Content

Stay relevant by tying your content to current events, holidays, and trending topics. Leveraging seasonal and trending moments can help your non-profit stay top-of-mind and reach new audiences. Whether it’s an annual giving campaign or responding to breaking news, this type of content allows your organisation to stay dynamic and adaptable.

Example Post Ideas:

• Campaigns for Giving Tuesday
• Themed posts for International Volunteer Day or World Humanitarian Day
• Highlighting how your non-profit is helping during a crisis
• Social media challenges related to trending topics (e.g., climate action challenges)

Why it Works: Leveraging trends keeps your content fresh and increases visibility.

10. Calls to Action That Drive Real Impact

Every post should have a clear goal. Whether you’re seeking donations, volunteers, or awareness, make your call to action (CTA) direct and persuasive. A strong CTA encourages immediate response and helps convert social media engagement into tangible action that benefits your cause.

Example Post Ideas:

• “Sign up today to become a monthly donor” with a link
• “Share this post to spread awareness”
• “Join us at our upcoming event – register now!”
• “Comment below with your thoughts on [topic]”

Why it Works: Strong CTAs give your audience a clear next step, increasing conversion rates.

The Power of Storytelling

Storytelling is one of the most powerful tools for engaging and inspiring your audience. It provides an emotional connection that facts and figures alone cannot achieve. When stories are told effectively, they captivate attention, evoke emotions, and drive action. Whether through a series of single posts or within a carousel or reel, stories help connect your followers emotionally to your cause.

Elements of effective storytelling:

• Character: A real person or group that embodies the issue at hand.
• Conflict: A challenge or problem that needs to be overcome.
• Resolution: A clear, hopeful, and inspiring outcome that showcases the impact of your work.
• Call to Action: A specific request, such as donating, sharing, or volunteering.

How to incorporate storytelling into social media:

• Create Story Arcs: Develop multi-post narratives that take followers on a journey over time.
• Use Visuals: Leverage photos and videos to enhance storytelling impact.
• Feature Voices: Allow beneficiaries, volunteers, and donors to share their own stories.
• Highlight Transformation: Showcase before-and-after scenarios to demonstrate the difference made.

Why it Works: Storytelling enhances relatability, increases engagement, and drives action by making your mission more personal and memorable. A well-told story builds trust and inspires your audience to support your cause in meaningful ways.

For an in-depth look at storytelling on social media and how to do it effectively, be sure to check out our e-book, The Art of Storytelling: A Social Media Guide for Non-Profits.

Leveraging Generative AI for Social Media Content

Generative AI can be a game-changer for non-profits looking to create and manage their social media content more efficiently. AI-powered tools can help flesh out content ideas, generate captions, suggest engaging formats, and even create full-fledged social media strategies, saving time and effort.

One such tool is Copalana StoryTeller (Copalana StoryTeller), which uses Chat-GPT to assist non-profits in crafting compelling social media posts. This platform not only helps generate content but also allows organisations to schedule posts and develop a structured content strategy.

Benefits of Using Generative AI:

• Saves Time: Automates content creation, freeing up valuable resources.
• Enhances Creativity: Provides fresh and engaging content ideas.
• Ensures Consistency: Helps maintain a steady flow of content across social platforms.
• Optimises Strategy: Supports planning and scheduling for maximum reach and engagement.

By integrating AI-powered tools like Copalana StoryTeller, non-profits can enhance their social media presence while focusing more on their core mission.

Final Thoughts

Consistency and creativity are key to growing your audience on social media and increasing engagement for your non-profit. By incorporating a mix of these content ideas—such as behind-the-scenes glimpses, fundraising appeals, and volunteer spotlights—you can maintain an active, inspiring presence that resonates with supporters.

Experiment with different formats, track your analytics to see what works best, and always prioritise storytelling and authenticity in your posts.

What social media content ideas have worked best for your non-profit? Let us know in the comments or tag us in your best-performing post!