Today is no ordinary Tuesday. As the build up to the holidays begins, people across the world are thinking about how they are going to give back this holiday season, both to their families and friends, but also to their communities and those in need. In response to many days commemorating the holiday shopping season such as Black Friday and #CyberMonday in the United States, in 2012 #GivingTuesday emerged as a global day of giving to remind all of us of the importance of holiday and end-of-year charitable activity and volunteering. #GivingTuesday connects diverse groups of individuals, communities and organizations around the world for one common purpose: to celebrate and encourage giving.
As the #GivingTuesday movement emphasizes, the annual event is only as strong as all of those taking part. In 2015, people across 71 countries raised $116.7 million USD during #GivingTuesday with 700K online donors.
So how will you take part in #GivingTuesday this year? Here are some ideas (hint: most of these work every day of the year!)
- Join the movement and download the official #GivingTuesday toolkit to get started on your individual giving plan and to encourage others to do the same.
- Raise money for a cause you care deeply about or for your favorite non-profit. Donate or organize a fundraiser for a nonprofit and leverage #GivingTuesday. Experiment with creative approaches to expand your donor base, for example, launching a campaign on #GivingTuesday to increase donations through the end of the year. Have a friend who’s running a race or looking for donations to support their cause? Today is a great reason to do so!
- Volunteer by yourself, with others, online or in your community. Volunteering is not one size fits all. Use #GivingTuesday as a way to define and start your personal commitment to public service, whether that be one hour, one day or one month every year. From virtual volunteering to lending your expertise through mentoring to cleaning up local beaches, volunteering should be defined by you and fit your interests and schedule.
- Share your passion for giving back on social media using #GivingTuesday. Spread the news on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn - whichever platforms you use - about your favorite non-profits and let others know how you are giving back this Tuesday and throughout the year. For many organizations, spreading awareness of their mission makes a significant impact in itself.
Symantec employees donate their time to Sydney Dogs and Cats Home in Sydney, Australia
Companies can also leverage the momentum of this day to highlight the importance of service. At Symantec, we are offering special holiday opportunities for our employees to maximize their impact. For example, all donations recorded November 29 will be double-matched – meaning that for every $1 USD contributed, the organization will receive $3 USD. Additionally, for all employees that volunteered during our recent Global Service Week, we are holding a raffle to win one of 200 Global Giving gift cards, which can be used to donate funds to a charitable project of your choice. Any volunteer hours during #GivingTuesday will also qualify for our Dollars for Doers program.
As we enter the holiday season and approach the end of a new year, it is a special time to reflect on the many organizations that rely on the help of volunteers and donations to achieve their missions. We can all make a difference, whether large or small, through our time, expertise or donations. In the end it’s our time, passion and caring for a cause that truly makes an impact.
What will your giving commitment be in 2017?