Giving Tuesday: How an Experimental Holiday Became a Global Movement

By Julia Ortiz and Grace Anne Alfiero, MFA

In a holiday season that celebrates a healthy heaping of consumerism on Black Friday and Cyber Monday, a holiday dedicated to giving back is a breath of fresh air. Giving Tuesday is a worldwide holiday that celebrates the spirit of generosity and inspires doing good as a part of everyday life. Founded in New York in 2012 by the team at the Belfer Center for Innovation and Social Impact, Giving Tuesday has now become a beacon of generosity around the world.

The organizers of the first Giving Tuesday wanted to create a day all about making a positive impact. They believed in the power of many people doing good all over the world and decided to give people an occasion for their generosity, volunteerism, donations, and other acts of goodness and support.

Since 2012, Giving Tuesday has grown tremendously and is now a global phenomenon. Last year, Giving Tuesday raised $3.6 billion in donations from the United States alone. With official movements now active in almost 100 countries, Giving Tuesday is an international reminder of the importance of supporting our communities and the causes close to our hearts.

Giving Tuesday has no strict rules around how to participate, just a common drive to make a positive impact in the world. The generosity and community involvement that the holiday seeks can take many forms. If you are looking for ways to give back this year, here are some of the many ways you can get involved:

1. Individual Donations: Giving money, even a small amount, can make a big impact on the causes that you hold near and dear to your heart. Many nonprofit organizations will have dedicated donation pages on their websites, or even an electronic Giving Tuesday portal to make the process seamless. If you work for a business or corporation, many of them have a matching program for employee donations, which can double your impact. Resources such as Charity Navigator or Guidestar/Candid can also help you to find reputable causes whose missions align with your values.

2. Volunteering: Donating your time through volunteering is an effective, direct way to show your support for an organization and actively lighten their load. Everyone has a skillset to share and, especially on Giving Tuesday, there are many opportunities to get involved in community events. Acting as a volunteer, whether in the short term for the holiday or committing to help long-term, enhances a nonprofit’s capacity to serve others by giving them an extra set of hands.

3. Spreading Awareness: Maybe you aren’t able to directly give your time and money on Giving Tuesday – that doesn’t mean your involvement has to stop there. Promote the causes and organizations you care about and inspire others to participate in Giving Tuesday movements. Social media is an incredible tool to get the word out about a volunteer event or a fundraiser, allowing you to share details of an event or link directly to an organization’s donation page. Using the hashtag #GivingTuesday will amplify the giving of nonprofits and individuals, making their efforts even more impactful. Or, you can go analog and create flyers, put postings on a community board with information. As long as you are putting the word out, and being authentic in your call to action, you are a key part of the holiday.

4. Acts of Kindness: Giving Tuesday does not end in official capacities like holiday-specific events or fundraisers. It also lives in the small acts of kindness and generosity that we can perform for others. Charity does not always need to be a formal process, nor should it be limited to one day a year. Small gestures within your own neighborhood can make a big difference. Being kind to others, helping a neighbor or a friend, serving as a listening ear to someone in need – all of these small acts warm the hearts of others and carry the spirit of giving, which can be practiced year-round.

One singular person does not have to give a tremendous amount in order to make an impact. The small acts of an individual multiplied by thousands and millions of people all putting their time, money, and effort together for good is what makes Giving Tuesday so powerful.

Giving Tuesday reminds us all about the importance of supporting our communities, strengthening our bonds with each other, and championing the people doing important work for causes we value. If you have the time, resources, platform, or even just your own generous heart to share, give back to others on Giving Tuesday!

If you are looking for some suggestions for organizations who are really making a difference and score high in achieving meaningful positive changes in their communities, consider making a tax-deductible donation to one of these organizations:

1.)   To support cornea transplant surgery and vision screening for families of low income – https://lwvi.org

2.)   To support nationwide literacy efforts - https://bessthebookbus.org

3.)   To support wellness programming, social prescriptions, and accessible museum visits in NJ - https://www.groundsforsculpture.org

4.)   To support fatherhood programming and workforce development - https://thefathercenter.org

5.)   To support workforce development for persons with autism and/or a developmental challenge - https://wemake.works

6.)   To ensure that all Illinois residents have access to free and confidential 211 services – https://211illinois.org

7.)   To support free integrative cancer care for residents in Palm Beach County, FL

https://saricenter.org

8.)   To support anti-trafficking efforts in Florida - https://selahfreedom.com

9.)   To support a nationwide consortium of nonprofit leaders - https://blueridgeleaders.org

10.)  To boost the efforts of an organization supporting nonprofit staff and board leadership in the greater Mercer County region of NJ - https://www.nonprofitconnectnj.org

11.)  To support an historical museum of one of the Declaration of Independence Signers, Richard Stockton - https://www.morven.org

12.)  To support girls education in India - https://bandarandbhaaloo.org