Giving Tuesday is a global day of giving, which falls each year on the Tuesday after Thanksgiving. This year, it is November 27th. The #GivingTuesday movement has been fueled by social media over the past several years, as an extension of Black Friday, Small Business Saturday, and Cyber Monday. Many organizations offer special promotions on Giving Tuesday, such as matching gifts or giveaways for donors.

#GivingTuesday was started by the 92nd Street Y and United Nations Foundation in 2012, as a countermovement to the consumerism of the holiday season.

During last year’s Giving Tuesday, “473,000 people raised over $45 million for over 46,000 organizations” on Facebook alone! (source)

For nonprofit professionals:

If you work at a nonprofit and are looking to maximize the impact of #GivingTuesday, consider one of the following ideas:

1. Offer a special reward for people who donate on November 27th. A deadline or an incentive to donate at a specific time can help supporters remember and act quickly.

2. Identify a corporate donor who is willing to match all donations made on #GivingTuesday. In exchange, you could promote the corporation on your social media accounts or an e-newsletter.

3. Hold a special raffle or a contest for those who donate specifically on the 27th. This makes them feel appreciated and rewarded.

4. Offer a special promotion for any volunteers who sign up for your next event.

5. Remind potential donors of your mission. Be clear and concise. Everyone is bombarded with plenty of advertisements and requests at this time of year. Stand out by clearly describing the impact of a donation.

For those looking to give:

Check out the Giving Tuesday website, which has a directory of nonprofit organizations, charities, and events that are looking for donations. This year, the Giving Tuesday community has already raised over $300 million in over 150 different countries.

Remember: #GivingTuesday is not just about money. You can also give your time or the power of your voice in your community. It’s a chance to collaborate with family, friends, or strangers on a common cause.

After a tough year of countless natural disasters, humanitarian crises, mass shootings, and a divisive political climate, many of us are looking for ways to help others. Giving Tuesday is about taking a moment to consider which causes are closest to your heart, and having resources to make it easy to give.