This year GivingTuesday falls on Dec. 3, the Tuesday after Thanksgiving and a slew of consumer-focused days. Started in 2012 to encourage people to do good, it now has become a global movement.
Today GivingTuesday “reimagines a world built upon shared humanity and generosity.” Over the years, it has inspired millions of dollars in giving and millions of acts of kindness.
With the end of the calendar year, it’s a great opportunity to talk with clients about their charitable giving. Are their families ready to give? If not, here are some ideas to get them started.
Think of the 5 T’s of giving
- Time: Can their family volunteer that day? Maybe something simple, like helping out at the kids’ school or picking up trash around the neighborhood. Or maybe helping a neighbor in need with shoveling snow or a grocery run.
- Talent: Does someone in the family have a skill that an organization might need? Maybe they need help organizing, or maybe seniors need tech help that teens can provide. Or maybe your client has marketing skills and can support a nonprofit in promoting an upcoming event.
- Ties: Who in the family’s network can volunteer or give with them? Maybe it’s extended-family members or friends or the kids’ soccer team. Giving with others is always more fun.
- Testimonial: Has the family been supported by a nonprofit in some way? Clients can sing that organization’s praises to their friends or share their good work on social media. Any organization will appreciate the shoutout.
- Treasure: Want to donate money instead? That’s always welcome. When bringing kids in to giving, it helps to have them do something to earn money, like collecting cans and bottles, holding a bake sale or raking leaves.
You can also remind your client families that Thanksgiving is a great opportunity to talk about nonprofits that have made an impact in their lives and give thanks for their contributions to the family or their community — think children’s museum or zoo or libraries. They can also consider what each person could do on GivingTuesday to make a difference or decide to give collaboratively.
If this is the route they choose this year, here are a few tips:
- Decide who’s giving: Are they giving by family units or generations or as a whole family?
- Set a budget for giving: Maybe kids have been saving money to give or raised money as mentioned above. Their parents and/or grandparents could match what they’ve saved or raised. Or maybe grandparents will provide a pot of money to give together.
- Decide who you’re giving to: Talk about what’s important to the family. What does the family value and want to support?
- GIVE!
Remind your clients that no matter what they choose to do, adding an element of fun will make it enjoyable for all. And also remember that organizations need support as much the day after GivingTuesday as they do that day. So feel free to give all year long!