Giving Tuesday

This is an edited version of a post that originally appeared on the Maryland Nonprofits blog. Dawn Edwards, Director of Development for Maryland Nonprofits (our parent organization), is the author.

The holiday season is upon us…  If you failed to notice, you’re one of the lucky few that haven’t seen holiday decorations (already!!) festooning storefronts; and you’ve somehow avoided bombardment by Black Friday, Small Business Saturday, and Cyber Monday sales ads.  I can’t help but wonder, “what’s the rush?”  We barely have time to give thanks before we are encouraged to leave our tables to shop for that “perfect present” for everyone on our list.

This year there is  an alternative to the corporate takeover of the holiday season… it’s called #Giving Tuesday^TM.

#GivingTuesday, scheduled for Tuesday, November 27th, is a special call to action, culminating in a new, national day of giving. It is the first effort of its kind, designed to harness the collective power of a unique blend of partners – charities, families, businesses, and individuals – to transform how people think about, talk about, and participate in the holiday giving season.  The goals are to inspire people to take collaborative action to improve our communities, give back in better, smarter ways, and to help create a better world.  

If you are a nonprofit organization you can be a part of this ‘opening day’ to the giving season by becoming a partner.  Between now and November 27th, tell your donor community (really everyone in your network) about #GivingTuesday to inspire early giving…before the year-end tax deduction rush we are all too familiar with. 

As individuals, we encourage you be a part this new day dedicated to giving by donating to your favorite causes.  And spread the word about #GivingTuesday to everyone you know!

#GivingTuesday will prove that the holidays can be about both giving and giving back.  It will celebrate Americans doing more with their wallets than just shopping – and that we Americans can give as good as we get!

With just 7 days left until #GivingTuesday, how do you plan to "Get out the Give" this giving season?!

More information...
Read the Maryland Nonprofits press release on #GivingTuesday
#GivingTuesday on Twitter
#GivingTuesday on Facebook