Mark your calendars for December 3rd. It’s Giving Tuesday! Giving Tuesday started in 2012 as a simple idea to encourage people to do good and it has grown into a generosity movement, inspiring millions of people every year to give back, collaborate, and spread kindness. Coming right after Black Friday and Cyber Monday, Giving Tuesday offers a much-needed break from holiday shopping. It reminds us to focus on what really matters: giving back to our communities and supporting the causes we care about.
Are you an individual looking to support a cause you care about, a business aiming to give back to the community or a charity in need of extra funding? Keep reading! We know it’s still summer but it’s never too early to start planning how you’ll participate in the biggest day of giving of the year. There are so many meaningful ways to get involved, and every action, big or small, can create a positive change.
Ready to help make the world a little brighter? Here are 12 impactful ways to participate in Giving Tuesday that we found at Classy.org:
- Make a charitable donation: Support a cause close to your heart by donating to a nonprofit organization. Whether it’s a local charity or an international humanitarian organization, your contribution can make a significant difference.
- Volunteer your time and skills: Offer time and expertise to a nonprofit or community organization—help a local shelter, join a cleanup event, or provide pro bono services.
- Fundraise for a cause: Host a fundraising event or participate in a peer-to-peer fundraising campaign to raise money for a cause. You can contribute your desserts to a bake sale, sign up for a 5K charity run, or register for an online fundraising campaign and encourage friends and family to contribute.
- Support small businesses: Use Giving Tuesday to support local businesses and artisans—purchase products or services in person from small businesses that give back to the community or donate a portion of their businesses’ proceeds to charity.
- Advocate for a cause: Use your voice to raise awareness about critical issues—share information on social media, write a blog post, or participate in online discussions.
- Perform random acts of kindness: Brighten someone’s day with random acts of kindness—pay for a stranger’s coffee, leave positive notes around town, or help someone in need.
- Donate goods and supplies: Check with local shelters, food banks, or community centers to see what items they need, such as food, clothing, toys, or other supplies.
- Lean into corporate giving opportunities: See if your employer will match your donation to a particular nonprofit, participate in a local volunteering opportunity, or attend a sponsored community event.
- Create a giving circle: Encourage friends, family, or colleagues to pool donations to support a specific cause or charity.
- Start a social media campaign: Use the hashtag #GivingTuesday to join the global conversation—leverage your social media platform to spread awareness and inspire others to participate.
- Host a virtual fundraiser: Organize a virtual fundraising event, such as an online auction, webinar, or livestream, to raise funds and engage with a broader audience.
- Give the gift of time: Offer experiences or activities to your loved ones instead of material gifts—spend quality time together, create memories, and consider donating the money you would have spent on gifts to charity.
