Nonprofits are increasingly using social media to connect with their stakeholders, including donors, volunteers, and beneficiaries. A well-crafted social media policy can help nonprofits ensure that their use of social media is consistent with their mission and values, and that their staff and volunteers are using social media appropriately.
This article provides a sample social media policy template that nonprofits can use to create their own policy. The template includes sections on the following topics:
- Purpose and scope of the policy
- Who is covered by the policy
- Acceptable and unacceptable use of social media
- Responsibilities of staff and volunteers
- Monitoring and enforcement of the policy
Purpose and Scope of the Policy
The purpose of this policy is to establish guidelines for the use of social media by staff and volunteers of [nonprofit name]. This policy applies to all social media platforms, including Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram, and YouTube.
This policy is intended to protect the reputation of [nonprofit name], to ensure that social media is used in a way that is consistent with the nonprofit’s mission and values, and to protect the privacy of the nonprofit’s stakeholders.
Who is Covered by the Policy
This policy applies to all staff and volunteers of [nonprofit name]. This includes employees, interns, consultants, and board members.
This policy also applies to any third parties who are authorized to use social media on behalf of [nonprofit name], such as marketing agencies or social media consultants.
Acceptable and Unacceptable Use of Social Media
Social media can be used to share information about [nonprofit name]’s mission and work, to connect with stakeholders, and to raise funds. However, there are also some unacceptable uses of social media, such as:
- Posting confidential or sensitive information
- Harassing, bullying, or threatening others
- Posting illegal or copyrighted content
- Using social media to solicit donations or promote personal businesses
Responsibilities of Staff and Volunteers
All staff and volunteers of [nonprofit name] are responsible for complying with this policy. This includes:
- Using social media in a way that is consistent with the nonprofit’s mission and values
- Protecting the privacy of the nonprofit’s stakeholders
- Refraining from posting confidential or sensitive information
- Avoiding harassment, bullying, or threatening others
- Avoiding posting illegal or copyrighted content
- Using social media to solicit donations or promote personal businesses
Monitoring and Enforcement of the Policy
[Nonprofit name] will monitor the use of social media by its staff and volunteers to ensure compliance with this policy. The nonprofit may take disciplinary action against any staff or volunteer who violates this policy.
Disciplinary action may include, but is not limited to:
- Verbal warning
- Written warning
- Suspension
- Termination of employment or volunteer service
Conclusion
A well-crafted social media policy can help nonprofits ensure that their use of social media is consistent with their mission and values, and that their staff and volunteers are using social media appropriately. This template provides a starting point for nonprofits to create their own social media policy.
Nonprofits should review and update their social media policy regularly to ensure that it is up-to-date with the latest social media trends and best practices.
FAQs
What is the purpose of a social media policy for nonprofits?
A social media policy for nonprofits establishes guidelines for the use of social media by staff and volunteers. The purpose of this policy is to protect the reputation of the nonprofit, to ensure that social media is used in a way that is consistent with the nonprofit’s mission and values, and to protect the privacy of the nonprofit’s stakeholders.
Who is covered by a social media policy for nonprofits?
A social media policy for nonprofits applies to all staff and volunteers of the nonprofit, as well as any third parties who are authorized to use social media on behalf of the nonprofit.
What are some unacceptable uses of social media for nonprofits?
Some unacceptable uses of social media for nonprofits include posting confidential or sensitive information, harassing, bullying, or threatening others, posting illegal or copyrighted content, using social media to solicit donations or promote personal businesses, and violating any other provisions of the nonprofit’s social media policy.
