How Nonprofits Can Use Clubhouse to Build a Devoted Community

What if you could share your mission with ten million people — for free?

Clubhouse allows its users to do just that. And there are benefits for nonprofits, who can use this new platform to connect with potential donors and supporters around the world.

(As you might know already, to become a user you have to be invited, so start asking around! More and more people are joining by the week.)

The 411 on Clubhouse

With a current valuation of $4 billion, Clubhouse is quickly becoming the new “it girl” for virtual connecting and marketing.

Clubhouse was founded in April 2020 by a tech entrepreneur, Paul Davison, and an ex-Google engineer, Rohan Seth. Some of its most notable fans include Oprah, Elon Musk, and Drake. 

Clubhouse is essentially a massive virtual networking platform, with break-out rooms for users to have conversations about topics that interest them the most. 

As an audience member, you can slip in and out of rooms silently, or you can join the conversation by “raising your hand” and potentially be added as a moderator. Think of a live podcast, but you can enter the discussion at any point. 

It’s an unusual blend of chaos and thoughtful organization. (Chaotically organized is a thing, right?) Regardless, the app is buzzing with events and seems to have an endless amount of people to connect with. 

Learn more about the story of how Clubhouse started here. 

Creating your nonprofit account

Let’s talk about how you can use this new platform for your nonprofit. 

First, you’ll need to set up an account — but it can’t be a general account under your nonprofit’s name. Instead, select someone to be your “speaker” and set up an account for them.

We recommend choosing someone who loves to network, communicates well virtually, and has time to engage in conversations on the app regularly. 

Once you create their account, optimize the profile to appeal to your ideal audience. Learn more about how to optimize your profile in this helpful guide. 

How to engage on Clubhouse

Once you have your profile set up, it’s time to start connecting! 

Clubhouse allows you to pick topics and people to follow. Consider not only what interests you personally but also the preferred topics of your ideal audience. 

Next, it’s time to do some research. 

Check out existing “clubs” that you can readily join. When you join a club, the rooms and conversations that take place in that club are pushed to the top of your feed. You can also search for specific people. 

For example, let’s assume you want to connect with a particular Fortune 500 business to discuss sponsorships or donations. You can find their decision-maker in Clubhouse and connect with them in different rooms. Once you build a relationship, you will have a better opportunity to discuss a potential partnership. 

At first, it’s okay if you “take a seat in the back” and listen to conversations. In fact, we recommend it, as you start to start out which ones are the most relevant for you and which rooms are full of your target audience members. However, it’s important to participate in conversations too. That’s how you and your stories will attract the most attention. 

Tips to fundraising on Clubhouse

If you want to take a more proactive approach to building awareness and raising funds, you can schedule an “event” in Clubhouse. Events let you create a room and host a conversation, which you can leverage to share specific information about your mission. 

One effective method is to host an interview-style room where you talk with multiple people from your organization -- or someone who has benefited from your work. 

For example, if you help support people transitioning from homelessness to a safe and stable living situation, invite a recent client to share their experience with you and your audience on Clubhouse. You can even allocate some time for questions from your audience and allow them to join the conversation. 

Sharing success stories on a platform like this and on your other platforms is an effective way to help people understand why they should support your work, donate, volunteer, or get involved in what you’re doing. 

Clubhouse continues to grow and, when used properly, can be a great resource for nonprofits to connect with potential donors, volunteers, and partners. 

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