Event Triggers: Automating Communication with Your Donors
Event Triggers from OnlineGiving.org can transform how your church communicates with its donors. This feature may sound technical, but it’s a game-changer when it comes to keeping your community engaged and informed—all without adding more tasks to your plate.
What Are Event Triggers?
So, what exactly are Event Triggers, and how can they work for you? In a nutshell, Event Triggers let you automate email or SMS messages based on specific donation events. Imagine this: someone donates to your church for the first time, and within seconds, they receive a warm, personalized welcome message from you. Or maybe someone makes a large donation to a special campaign, and both you and your admin team get an instant notification. With Event Triggers, all of this happens automatically.
Popular Uses of Event Triggers
There are several popular ways churches are already using these triggers. The most common? Welcoming first-time givers. First impressions matter, and that immediate "thank you" can make a new donor feel seen and appreciated. It’s a simple gesture, but it goes a long way in building a connection.
Then there’s the option for special event emails. Say your church is running a campaign for a Christmas fund or building project. You can set up triggers so that anyone who donates to those funds receives a tailored email that explains the goals of the campaign and expresses gratitude. It's not just about the donation—it’s about making your givers feel like they’re part of something bigger.
Another great use? Special thank-you messages for large donations. When someone goes above and beyond in their giving, a personalized message lets them know their generosity is recognized and valued. Plus, you can notify your admin team about these significant gifts so that they’re always in the loop.
How to Set Up Event Triggers
Setting up these triggers is straightforward. From the Online Giving control panel, you can view, search, create, edit, and delete event triggers. Whether you want to trigger a message for first-time gifts, donations over a certain amount, or specific fund designations, it’s all customizable.
You can even choose to send either an email or an SMS, depending on what’s more appropriate for the situation. Once your triggers are set, they’ll automatically send messages when the criteria are met—no need for manual follow-ups. And if you ever need to update or remove a trigger, the control panel makes that easy, too.
Why Event Triggers Matter
The best part about Event Triggers is that they don’t just streamline your processes; they make your communication more personal. When people feel valued and connected, they’re more likely to stay engaged and continue supporting the church.
Event Triggers User Guide
The Event Triggers feature in the Online Giving control panel allows church administrators to automate and personalize messages (via email or SMS) based on specific donation events. Whether welcoming first-time givers or notifying administrators about large donations, this tool enhances communication efficiency and donor engagement. In this guide, you'll find everything you need to know about using Event Triggers, including how to view, search, create, edit, and delete them.
Key Functions
- Automate email and SMS notifications for key donation events.
- Customize triggers for first-time gifts, text sign-ups, donation thresholds, and fund designations.
- Enhance donor engagement with personalized messages and special notifications.
Key Takeaways
- Event Triggers improve outreach by automatically sending messages based on specific donation actions.
- You can manage all aspects of Event Triggers from the control panel, including creating, editing, and deleting them.
- The system supports various trigger types like first-time donations, text giving, and fund-specific donations.
Table of Contents
Event Triggers Overview
The Event Triggers feature in the Online Giving control panel allows church administrators to create, view, and manage event-based notifications. These triggers can send automatic emails or SMS text messages when specific conditions are met, such as a first donation, a donation over a certain amount, or gifts to specific funds. The goal is to streamline communication with donors and staff while making it more personalized.
Popular Uses of Event Triggers
First Time Giver Welcome Message
Automatically send a welcome email or SMS to first-time donors. This immediate acknowledgment helps create a personal connection with new donors.
Special Event Emails
Use event triggers to send targeted emails related to specific donation campaigns, such as:
- Christmas Fund: A thank-you email explaining the goals of the fund.
- Building Fund: A personalized email for donors contributing to the building fund.
Special Thank You Messages
Recognize donors with a special message when they make a donation over a certain amount (gift threshold).
Administrative Notifications
Keep administrators informed of significant donations by sending an automatic notification for:
- Large donations.
- Donations to specific funds or sub-funds.
Event Triggers User Guide
How to View Event Triggers
- Login to the control panel.
- Click on "Event Triggers" from the left navigation menu.
How to Search Event Triggers
- Login to the control panel.
- Click on "Event Triggers" from the left navigation menu.
- To search by title, enter a keyword into the Title input field and press Enter.
How to Create New Event Trigger
- Login to the control panel.
- Click on "Event Triggers" from the left navigation menu.
- Click the "Create Event Trigger" button at the top right of the page.
- Enter the Event Title (only visible in the control panel).
- Configure the event action by choosing from the following options:
- Trigger on First Gift: Select "Yes" from the drop-down menu.
- Trigger on Text Giving Sign-up: Select "Yes" from the drop-down menu.
- Trigger on Gift Amount Threshold: Select "Yes" and enter the minimum gift amount.
- Trigger on Fund/Sub-fund Match: Select the desired fund or sub-fund from the drop-down menu.
- To send an email to the donor, choose "Send Email to Donor", then enter the email subject and message body.
- To send an SMS message, select "Send SMS to Donor" and enter the SMS message body.
- Click "Save" to commit changes.
How to Edit Event Trigger
- Login to the control panel.
- Click on "Event Triggers" from the left navigation menu.
- Search for the event trigger you wish to edit (see the How to Search Event Triggers section above).
- Click the Gear icon next to the event trigger.
- Select "Edit" from the drop-down menu.
- Update any of the trigger settings, such as the event title, gift type, fund, or message content.
- Click "Save" to apply the changes.
How to Delete Event Trigger
- Login to the control panel.
- Click on "Event Triggers" from the left navigation menu.
- Search for the event trigger (see How to Search Event Triggers).
- Click the Gear icon next to the event trigger.
- Select "Delete" from the drop-down menu.
FAQ
What is an Event Trigger in Online Giving?
An Event Trigger is a feature that automatically sends an email or SMS notification to donors or administrators based on specific donation criteria, such as first-time donations or large gifts.
Can I customize the message sent through Event Triggers?
Yes! You can personalize both email and SMS messages, specifying the subject, content, and recipients for each event trigger.
What types of events can trigger notifications?
Notifications can be triggered by first-time gifts, text giving sign-ups, donation amounts over a certain threshold, or gifts to specific funds or sub-funds.
How do I know if an event trigger is working?
Once you’ve set up the event trigger, it will automatically activate when the specified criteria are met. You can review logs or reports in the control panel to verify activity.
Can I edit or delete an existing Event Trigger?
Yes, you can edit or delete event triggers at any time through the control panel. Simply search for the trigger, and use the gear icon to access the editing or deletion options.