Giving Tuesday is a global day of giving fueled by the power of social media and collaboration. It is celebrated on the Tuesday following Thanksgiving in the U.S. after the widely recognized shopping events Black Friday and Cyber Monday. Giving Tuesday kicks off the charitable season when many focus on their holiday and end-of-year giving.
The goal of Giving Tuesday is to encourage people to do good and give financially. Whether it’s making someone smile, helping a neighbor or stranger out, giving financially to a favorite charity, showing up for an issue or people we care about, or giving some of what we have to those who need help, every act of generosity counts. Giving Tuesday was created to inspire people to give back to their communities, celebrate the spirit of giving, and recognize the importance of generosity and giving.
Giving Tuesday aims to kick off the charitable season with new energy and excitement. Many people want to maximize their charitable donations for tax purposes as well. Additionally, they want to be sure their favorite organizations meet their end-of-year goals to continue providing services so that people can focus their efforts on making a difference in their community or someone else’s life.
Story Stages
Marketing and Giving Tuesday
Many businesses and organizations are already planning their Giving Tuesday 2022 marketing campaigns. Social media marketing plays a massive role in promoting and getting the word out. Additionally, many organizations send out promotional materials in the mail to encourage their donors to give again. These mailers are often sent out in October or November. Some nonprofits partner with big businesses to create even more buzz online.
While it may seem like a lot of work, these charitable organizations wouldn’t do it if it didn’t help them meet their goals. Sometimes these end-of-year campaigns can account for a significant portion of the annual donations that they receive. Giving Tuesday also shows the world that we can create a better world by giving more, not just on Thanksgiving or Christmas but every day.
Ways to Get Involved
If you are a nonprofit, start looking at how to promote Giving Tuesday to your donors and constituents. Try to get the help of online influencers and other people to create a more organic feeling movement than just sharing content. Share testimonies from people who have benefited from what you do. Share stats about the impact you’ve made. And create a financial goal. Having a concrete goal and sharing it with your donors helps them to help you. Create hashtags and other tools to help spread the word online.
One of the best ways to get involved is in your own community. Your local community needs your help, and there are many ways you can give back. You can volunteer at local charities, donate money or items to them, and raise awareness about issues that matter to you in your area. Additionally, look beyond organizations on Giving Tuesday to find people who need some help. The gift of time can be very meaningful for someone who may not have much else. For example, if an elderly neighbor has lost their spouse or doesn’t drive anymore, they might appreciate having someone take them grocery shopping or run errands for them occasionally. A single mom might enjoy a break to rest while someone else watches her children. There are plenty of opportunities out there.
Celebrate Achievements With Your Donors
Organizations that involve their donors in the process have much better results. Reaching out to your donors can be as simple as sending a thank you note. It could also be more involved, such as asking your donors for feedback or giving them information on how you used their donations throughout the year. You can ask them for suggestions on future projects or fundraisers, or even their help with these things.
Giving Tuesday and Collaboration
Giving Tuesday is all about collaborating with others, so this is your time to shine as an organization. Whether you’re working with other organizations, donors, volunteers, staff members, or your broader community, collaboration can be a powerful way to achieve your goals and positively impact the world around you.
As part of that collaborative spirit, getting creative with Giving Tuesday activities is important. Collaborate with other nonprofits in your community. Host an event where people can learn more about your organization’s work. Offer volunteer opportunities and so much more. Be bold, creative, and have fun. Help your donors understand that they’re part of something bigger.
