Nonprofits thrive on the generosity and sustained support of their donor communities. But in a crowded digital landscape, how does an organization stand out and connect supporters to its mission? For Imagine1day, an international organization that enables primary and secondary school education in Ethiopia, the answer lies in a commitment to innovation, inclusion and engagement.

Here are three ways Imagine1day is going beyond standard fundraising practice to foster deep engagement with its supporters.

Engagement: connecting supporters to action through a monthly email communication and interactive “virtual salons”

Imagine1day prioritizes transparency and a direct connection between its global supporters and the local team leading its on-the-ground work in Ethiopia. To facilitate this, it hosts a free monthly educational “virtual salon.”

Inspired by observance days such as International Day of the Girl Child and World Toilet Day, Imagine1day uses this speaker series for more than presentations. Attendance, registered through Give Lively-powered Event Ticketing pages, has thus far given supporters the opportunity to interact directly with the CEO, Dr. Seid Aman; Gender Equality & Social Inclusion Officer Ms. Selam Gelgelo; and WASH (Water, Sanitation and Hygiene) Program Manager Bereket Gebretsion. The virtual salon on January 22, 2026, celebrates International Day of Education.

Key takeaway: By focusing on educating supporters through a live, interactive forum with the people doing the work, Imagine1day has turned a standard "update" into high-value engagement. It makes the mission personal and the impact immediate.

Innovation: demonstrating creative, accountable impact

One way for a nonprofit to set itself apart is to share how its ability to innovate solves complex problems. Imagine1day’s approach to gender equality is a powerful example.

Recognizing that girls were missing school due to essential daily tasks like fetching water or lack of menstrual hygiene supplies, the team didn't try to overhaul cultural practices. Instead, they incorporated practical, sustainable solutions into their model:

• Ensuring a reliable water supply at the school so girls can bring fresh water home daily.
• Providing menstrual hygiene products and a Menstrual Hygiene Management Room room to ensure privacy so girls don’t stay home during their periods.
• Incorporating gender-segregated latrines for girls and boys in every school it helps build.

‍Key takeaway: This practice showcases smart, empathetic and accountable leadership. It tells supporters, "We are not just throwing money at a problem; we are thinking deeply and finding innovative solutions that create self-sustainability." How a story is told matters.

Inclusion: combining online and offline generosity for campaign momentum

Not all gifts arrive via online credit card payments. Paper checks and cash still account for a significant share of giving, especially among long-time and older donors. During its GivingTuesday 2025 campaign, Imagine1day made sure every dollar counted by manually adding offline donation amounts to Campaign Page totals.

Key takeaway: The complete picture of a campaign’s momentum helps sustain that momentum. It not only encourages ongoing giving through the psychological concept of “social proof” (demonstrated existing support), but also acknowledges the generosity of the offline community, making the entire donor base feel part of a campaign’s success.

Innovation, inclusion and engagement

Imagine1day shows that keeping donors engaged isn’t only about sending out appeals. It’s about adding value, communicating innovative accountability and giving supporters a direct look into the lives they are changing.

Keep reading: Three key ways to optimize a Campaign Page