#GivingTuesday is a global giving movement annually timed for the Tuesday after Thanksgiving. It serves as a foil from the consumerism-driven Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales, and also serves as the formal kick off of the season of gratitude and giving that Thanksgiving launches days earlier.
Individuals from over 150 countries participate in #GivingTuesday, and over 42 countries have official, independently led #GivingTuesday movements. This activation translated to over $300 million dollars generated in 2017, that is captured via reporting from the largest donation processers including Blackbaud, MightyCause (formerly Razoo), Global Giving, DonorPerfect, Network for Good, Facebook, and Indiegogo.
If you are affiliated with a nonprofit, you should consider participating in a #GivingTuesday campaign. Many donation processors waive their fees on the day, increasing the total yield the fundraising campaign can generate. Many large foundations, like the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, have offered to match dollars raised on #GivingTuesday, which multiplies the impact of efforts. Moreover, nonprofits that participate in #GivingTuesday campaigns, on average saw much higher year end fundraising totals than nonprofits that didn’t, according to Network for Good statistics. Those individuals were also more likely to be more philanthropic throughout the year, as well as give of themselves in other ways (donating their time or personal effects, for example).
If you’re an individual who is just learning about #GivingTuesday, sign up for your favorite charity’s listserv or follow a new one on social media to stay tuned for their #GivingTuesday efforts. Many run contests or matching campaigns that can double, or triple, your gift, or alternatively include opportunities to win one of a kind experiences or prizes. Beyond that, giving is good for you! The Cleveland Clinic has shown that giving is associated with lower blood pressure, increased self-esteem, less depression, lower stress levels, longer lifespans, and greater happiness.
Many organizations offer #GivingTuesday toolkits, including Starfish Impact. Stay tuned to the blog for additional #GivingTuesday resources or to build a customized campaign, contact us today.
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