By now, we all know hashtags are the sticky file labels of the internet. Whenever you use a hashtag with your post, it gets indexed by the social network and becomes searchable and discoverable by other users. It’s important to know what hashtags are used in your niche to organize the content shared around a particular topic — that way people that are interested in your topic can find you, even if they don’t (yet) follow you on social media.
Popular hashtags used in the social good and non-profit space
Below are topic-related lists of popular hashtags, listed alphabetically, used in the social good and non-profit space. Keep in mind to use hashtags wisely. Depending on the social network, you want to use just a few (i.e. Facebook and Twitter). Instagram, for example, doesn’t allow more than 30 hashtags per post to avoid hashtag spamming. It’s always good to find out the specific hashtag used at a particular event or conference you’re attending so that you can make your shares even more relevant and discoverable.
Also, send me a note if I forgot an important hashtag related to the social innovation/ social good space. Happy hashtagging!
Activism
#2030now – Support the UN initiative to achieve the sustainable development goals by the 2030 target date (see #globalgoals)
#activism – Use when you are at a protest or when you are leading a conversation around a protest or advocacy action
#cause or #causes – Discuss subjects related to social causes
#crowdfunding – Use to raise awareness and funds through a crowdfunding campaign
#DisasterRelief – Use when talking about the disaster management efforts you get involved with after catastrophic events
#dogood – Share your good deeds with the world
#globalgoals – Support the UN initiative to achieve the sustainable development goals by the 2030 target date (see #2030now)
#giveback – Use as a call to action for people to give back to their community
#socialgood – Highlight actions and campaigns related to the intersection of philanthropy and social media
#SocialGoodSummit – Annual event held by the UN and Mashable to talk about #2030NOW and what people can do to have a positive impact on the world
Philanthropy and Non-Profits
#charity – Highlight a charity (yes, including your own!!) and their good work
#CharityTuesday – Discuss a charity and their great work on Tuesdays
#donate – A call to action for people to donate
#donors – Celebrate your donors!
#foundation – Give a shout-out to a foundation
#fundraising – Promote your fundraising campaign or share news around this topic
#GivingTuesday – Use around the established UN holiday happening after Cyber Monday every November
#grant – Announce a grant availability or a grant given
#NGO – Stands for non-governmental organization; promote NGO efforts or news
#nonprofit – Highlight a nonprofit organization or share news from the nonprofit sector
#nptech – Give a shout-out to non-profits that use technology to promote social change
#philanthropy – Share general information and news around philanthropy efforts and the sector in general
#volunteer – Celebrate your awesome volunteers or call people to join your cause as a volunteer
Environment and Sustainability
#cleanair – Share content around clean air issues or initiatives
#cleanenergy – Promote news and content around clean energy
#cleanwater – Share content around clean water issues or initiatives
#climate and #climatechange and #climateaction – Discuss topics related to climate change
#eco and #ecofriendly – Use for anything related to eco-friendliness and the environment
#environment – Use for anything related to eco-friendliness and the environment
#FutureOfFood and #FoodInnovation – Promote initiatives around food innovation and global access to food in the future
#green and #greenliving – Promote eco-friendly living or share news around environmentalism
#greenenergy – Talk about anything related to #greenenergy
#parisagreement – Make your voice heard around topics regarding the Paris climate agreement
#renewables – Talk about all things renewables and renewable energy
#solar – Use for anything related to solar energy
#sustainability or #sustainable – Promote sustainability and news about this topic
#watersecurity – Share news around clean water issues or initiatives providing or securing access to drinking water
Human Rights and Social Justice
#aid – Bring awareness to financial or humanitarian aid efforts
#fairtrade – Promote conversations around fair trade topics or news
#genderequality – Take a stand for gender equality and women’s empowerment
#humanrights – Discuss human rights or oppressive actions happening around the world
#peace – Promote peace!
#peaceday – Use to promote the International Day of Peace observed on 21 September every year
#planet5050 – Use to support the UN “Planet 50-50 by 2030: Step It Up for Gender Equality” campaign
#poverty – Discuss issues regarding poverty
#UNGA – Stands for United Nations General Assembly; use to join in the UNGA general debate every September
#zerohunger – Share topics around food innovation and global access to food
Social Entrepreneurship and Social Business
#changemakers – Celebrate the changemakers in your community or worldwide
#CSR – Stands for corporate social responsibility
#impactinvesting and #impinv – Share impact investment news and opportunities
#socap – Use for anything related to social capital and capital for social good
#socent – Promote social entrepreneurship and news around this topic
#socialbusiness – Promote social businesses that are combining profit with purpose
#socinn – Promote social innovation initiatives and share related news
#socinv – Stands for social investment; share news around social investment
#sofinance – Share social financing news
