Giving Tuesday

Giving is a common theme during the last part of the year. It's the season to share thoughtful gifts with your loved ones, volunteer your time within your community, and donate funds to charitable organizations.

All of this culminates on Giving Tuesday, when nonprofits nationwide (and worldwide) raise funds in conjunction with donors and volunteers.

This makes a real difference.

The United States alone raised a record $2.7 billion in Giving Tuesday donations in 2021. Approximately 35 million people contributed in some other way than monetary donations -- an increase of 6% over 2020.

On Giving Tuesday, the largest day of giving every year, people are encouraged to celebrate radical generosity, in which "the suffering of others should be as intolerable as our own," according to the official website.

What is Giving Tuesday?

92nd Street Y and United Nations Foundation launched Giving Tuesday in 2012 as a day to encourage people to do good. As of July 2019, GivingTuesday has spun out into a separate organization led by GivingTuesday co-founder Asha Curran.

When is Giving Tuesday?

Technically, it happens every Tuesday. Giving Tuesday falls on either the last Tuesday of November or the first Tuesday of December due to Thanksgiving being in the fourth week of November.

The purpose of Giving Tuesday is to inspire generosity every single day, not just on one special day. Imagine how much good can be done if an entire movement of people can make someone's day.

Participation is open to all, whether you are an individual, a family, a nonprofit organization, a corporation, a small business, or anything else.

How to Celebrate Giving Tuesday

As part of Giving Tuesday, social media is used to spread the word and encourage more people to get involved.

Participate in a Giving Tuesday campaign on Instagram, for instance.

There is no better time to show generosity and kindness than right now, whether you are an individual or an organization.

You might find these ideas inspiring:

• Give to a nonprofit serving your community.

• Make a donation to a non-profit that protects the environment.

• Donate to a refugee or migration organization.

• Support an animal protection organization with a donation.

• Contribute to a racial justice organization.

• Give to an organization that protects LGBTQ+ youth.

• Shop brands and items that give back.

• Open new tabs and raise money for charities with Tab for a Cause, a free app.

• Volunteer your time.

• Sign up to volunteer virtually.

• Volunteer your talents.

• Give blood.

• Do a random act of kindness.

• Help young people become involved through #GivingTuesdaySpark.

• Use the hashtag #GivingTuesday on your social channels.

Why Giving is More Important than Receiving

Giving helps others.

It is possible to give if you have the means to live a reasonable level of comfort.

In a dark world, people who have little or nothing rely on people with a giving spirit to be generous and kind. By helping the less fortunate, you enrich their lives, and by enriching their lives, you enrich yours as well.

The act of giving inspires others to give.

When people receive kindness, they pay it forward and give to others, even when they have little to spare.

In order for the world to be a better, more humane place, we must perpetuate the cycle of giving. Especially for the young, who are accustomed to receiving whatever they want, be a good role model.

Responsibility is taught through giving.

The sacrifices you make when you give may not be pleasant. However, you learn how to do without certain things so that you can donate to a desperate cause even if you don't have the funds.

Maybe you'll be more frugal for the month, or you'll watch your spending habits. Eventually, you'll realize that happiness doesn't require much from you.

Self-worth is nurtured through giving.

There may be a selfish reason why you're giving. In spite of this, you and the person you helped can bask in the joy you both share as a result of your kindness.

You shouldn't feel ashamed of your generosity or use it as motivation to continue to do good in the future.

You feel happy when you give. Being kind to others makes the act of giving worthwhile when you see their smiles, gratitude, and expressions of hope.

Research even shows that a giver is more likely to be happy when they give. According to several studies, those who spent money on others were happier than those who spent it on themselves.

It makes a difference to give.

Even if you are able to give a little, you can make a huge difference in the life of someone else.

Even a small act of kindness can make someone's life better, and it only takes a small gesture of kindness to make someone's day.

Giving is easy.

There's so much that you can give.

• Your time can be given.

• Friendship and warmth are gifts you can give.

• If you are willing to listen or lend a shoulder, you can make a difference.

• You can give materially.

Final Words

On Giving Tuesday, people are encouraged to give back in whatever way they can. Because nonprofit organizations can raise more money on this day of giving than they might on an average day of giving, many create special campaigns specifically to participate.