Holiday season starts after Thanksgiving as shoppers flock to stores and online for Black Friday, Small Business Saturday and Cyber Monday deals. But what’s there to do on the next day? Answer: #GivingTuesday, which key nonprofit officials say is more than a continuation of the early shopping season.
“This our highest volume time of year in terms of what we give in grants as a foundation, as well as contributions to local nonprofits by our donors,” said Coastal Community Foundation (CCF) President and CEO Darrin Goss.
The foundation receives an average of more than 20% of annual contributions during the last two months of the calendar year. And it distributes almost 30% of its grants in the same time period.
“Nonprofits receive a large portion of their annual donations in the months of November and December, so they are counting on year-end giving to meet the needs of our community,” Goss said.
#GivingTuesday started a dozen years ago as a coordinated way for people to do philanthropic giving.
In 2012, the 92nd Street Y Community Center in New York City gave birth to an idea for a “global generosity movement,” leading to the first Tuesday after Thanksgiving being known as #GivingTuesday.
It’s a simple act to give back. And since its inception, the movement has spread internationally, reaching nearly 100 different countries. In 2023, nonprofits in the United States raised more than $3.1 billion in charitable contributions through the one-day focus on philanthropy..
“#GivingTuesday highlights the importance of philanthropy and including charitable giving in your holiday traditions,” said CCF’s Mayci McLeod. “The holidays serve as a reminder of values like generosity and gratitude. This creates an opportunity to consider how you can best serve your community, with your time, talent and treasure all being impactful contributions to nonprofits in our region.”
Children can help too
CCF recommends involving children in giving early. Why? Because a study shows they’re 20% more likely to give because parents have talked with them about the importance of charitable giving. Examples of involving kids:
- Give them a blank check (even for an amount as small as $10) where they get to fill in the nonprofit they wish to receive the money.
- Volunteer as a family to see the impact of donating time and money.
- Provide children a set amount of pennies, each representing $10. Leave it up to them to think about or research causes important to them and allocate the money how they wish.
Other ways to help
Here are six ways to participate in #GivingTuesday this year:
- Volunteer. Volunteer at a community garden and food pantry, such as Fresh Future Farm.
- Teach. Spend one hour teaching a child to read with Reading Partners.
- Clean. Help clean up trash from waterways and roadways through the Coastal Conservation League.
- Donate. Buy or donate used items for a local shelter, such as My Sister’s House.
- Pet. Foster an animal in need through the Charleston Animal Society.
- Give. Send a monetary gift to an organization of your choice
For more ideas on how to give back this year, visit givingtuesday.org
Madison Clark and Andy Brack contributed to this story.
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