It’s more than a day of giving; it’s a movement. Founded in 2012 to encourage people to give for a day, Giving Tuesday has grown into a global generosity movement, inspiring people to do good and give back. Giving Tuesday is a unique initiative that motivates millions of people around the world to come together, work together, and celebrate the spirit of giving while highlighting the power we all have to make a positive impact on our world.
While at New York’s 92nd Street Y, Giving Tuesday founder Henry Tims wanted to “add a day” that would “reverse” the Black Friday and Cyber Monday spending trends. His idea was to “engage with the world” to give back. Timms and the United Nations Foundation, a founding partner, encourage individuals and businesses to get involved in this international day of giving. It is both ironic and fitting that Giving Tuesday falls during the holiday season, a time traditionally associated with spending and giving. While this season primarily focuses on giving to our loved ones, Giving Tuesday offers an extra opportunity to give back to our community and support important causes. By doing so, we continue to spread the joy and spirit of the season.
Generosity is contagious, and it is a powerful force that can influence others. It’s an essential element of our humanity because when we come together to support each other, we are, in turn, supporting ourselves. Helping others feels good, and that’s the essence of Giving Tuesday. This day serves as a reminder of the power and responsibility we have to do good for others. Giving applies to businesses as well because businesses are run by people. Therefore, businesses have the ability and responsibility to give back to their employees, clients, leadership, and the community. By doing so, businesses, no matter how big or small, become part of the collective power and contribute to the spirit of generosity that can bring healing to our world.
This year, Giving Tuesday takes place on Tuesday, November 28th. Giving Tuesday doesn’t have to be complicated; it should be fun and fulfilling. Businesses can participate with their time and volunteer. Volunteering is a form of giving that cannot be measured, as time is one of the most valuable things we all possess. It is a commodity that we can never get back, which is why businesses should generously donate their time as much as possible.
Apart from volunteering, businesses can also play a crucial role in raising awareness about the significance of giving. Sharing stories of generosity is an effective way to promote the idea of giving back and to show how it can be done. This can be achieved through video stories, articles, or social media. The goal is not to promote oneself and to use trendy hashtags but to showcase how your business has contributed towards making a difference in society. These stories help to communicate the impact of giving and the positive outcomes of generosity.
Giving money is the ultimate act of generosity, as it has the power to fund our lifestyles and transform lives when shared generously. This Giving Tuesday, businesses have two ways to tap into this power – by donating to a meaningful cause or starting a fundraiser. They can also get creative and launch a fundraising challenge or a matching campaign. It’s important to generate excitement around giving and communicate how the funds raised will help unlock the potential of the people behind the cause or causes being supported.
As we celebrate #GivingTuesday, let us all come together to use our individual and corporate power to make the world a better place through acts of kindness, generosity, and goodwill. It’s important to note that this spirit of giving doesn’t have to end on Giving Tuesday. Let every Tuesday be a reminder of the joy of receiving kindness and the importance of being generous.