Financial Fundamentals Blog

Make a difference on Giving Tuesday

Now that Black Friday and Cyber Monday are finally over, it’s time to start thinking about ways to give back this holiday season.
 
Giving Tuesday, celebrated on the Tuesday after Thanksgiving (this year, it’s Tuesday, Dec. 3), was created in 2012 to help people rethink how to give during the holidays and to kick off the charitable season. Fueled by social media and collaboration, the movement breached the billion dollar mark with millions of people donating to charitable causes and nonprofits across the globe. In 2018, nearly $400 million was raised online alone in the United States.
 
While there’s no single way to participate in Giving Tuesday, it’s a good idea to prepare if you plan to get involved.
 
Give your time. Volunteering within your community is incredibly impactful both for yourself and others who live there. Take the time to search nonprofits in your area and reach out to learn more about volunteer opportunities available.
 
Give money. If you’re thinking about making a monetary donation, but not sure where to start, look to nonprofits that have had some type of impact on your life. You can locate participating nonprofits in your area at www.givingtuesday.org. If making a one-time donation isn’t enough, you can help in a more hands-on way by starting a fundraiser or by talking with your employer about incorporating your favorite nonprofit into their official policy.
 
If you’re planning on making a monetary donation to your favorite nonprofit, take a minute to look them up on Charity Navigator. Charity Navigator lets you see the previous work that an organization has done, how much of your donation will go to the cause and more. It’s best to make sure that the organization you’re donating to really does align with your passions.
Give your talent. Use your skill set to help a local nonprofit with anything from finance to legal assistance. Search pro bono opportunities or call up and offer your expertise.
 
Give your voice. Use your social media page to share information about your favorite nonprofit. It’s a quick and easy way to advocate for a cause that matters to you. If you’re willing to take things a bit further, reach out to your elected officials, sign an online petition or help to mobilize your neighbors in response to something plaguing your community.
 
Shop for good. Raise money for your favorite charities when you shop online at sites like AmazonSmile or ShoppingGives. Don’t forget that many nonprofits sell items around the holidays to support their missions. Give holiday gifts that make an impact!

Help a neighbor. A simple act of kindness goes a long way. Get your family involved and teach the little ones the importance of giving back.


Giving Tuesday is meant to inspire people to take action in ways meaningful for them. If you would like to participate and are interested in learning more about Giving Tuesday visit, https://www.givingtuesday.org.