Get ready to start giving! GivingTuesday is just around the corner — on Tuesday, November 28 to be precise — and it’s your big chance to give to others after all the retail excess of Black Friday.
GivingTuesday is the world’s largest generosity movement. It was created in 2012 as a simple idea: a day that encourages people to do good for others. Since then, it has grown into a year-round global movement that inspires hundreds of millions of people to give, collaborate, and celebrate generosity with over 90 movements around the world and millions donated — $50 million in Canada alone!
As a global movement, GivingTuesday unleashes the power of people and organizations to transform their communities and the world by encouraging everyone to do some good. It’s a day in which everyone has something they can give, and every act of generosity — no matter how small — counts.
The movement is organized by a global network of country leaders. In Canada, the movement is led by CanadaHelps.org and includes thousands of participating organizations. The Canadian movement has prospered thanks to a growing network of community movements with dynamic leaders all over the country. Each participant is responsible for organizing their own GivingTuesday campaign or activities.
There are so many different ways to express generosity on GivingTuesday — and every day! Give of your time, make someone smile with an unexpected compliment, help a neighbour, veteran or stranger in some way, show up for an issue or people we care about, or make a donation to a charity you’ve been intending to support. Get behind your favourite cause and get your friends involved!
With all the turmoil in the world right now, it’s more important than ever to show up for our communities. There are many simple ways to do this. Here are just a few great ideas:
• Support your local community food bank.
• Look for a local fundraiser, community drive or coordinated event to join others in your area or with your same interests in giving back.
• Reach out to a neighbour in need: send them a card, cook them a meal, bake them some treats, mow their lawn or shovel their snow, or give them a call just to check in.
• Check out the CanadaHelps pledge! Your favourite charity will be entered to win a $5,000 donation from CanadaHelps. Each pledge is a chance for your charity to win!
• Add a #GivingTuesdayCA Facebook Frame to your profile to show that you’re giving back.
• Share your giving story by posting an #UNselfie. This is a post on social media that shares a message about why you give back.
• Shop local. This is still a difficult time for small businesses and restaurants. Support those in your neighbourhood by ordering take out or buying items online, or buying locally made products in stores.
• Share your giving story on Instagram with a #GivingTuesdayCA Instagram sticker or filter.
• Paint inspirational rocks and leave them in random locations. This is an easy activity for young children to participate in. Share messages about world unity, inspiring kindness, give love to your city or town, or just spread joy.
• Add a link to your email signature to let others know what cause you are supporting for GivingTuesday.
• Help inspire others by sharing good news stories on your social media channels. Showcase all the good happening in your community. Check out #GivingTuesdayCA’s Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter channels for lots of inspiration.
• Give someone the recognition they deserve on a national stage. Did you know that REALTORS® are doing amazing charitable work in communities across Canada every day of the year? If you know a REALTOR® who is making a difference in their community and deserves to have their story shared across Canada, you can nominate them for the Canadian REALTORS Care® Award 2024 presented by REALTOR.ca at www.realtorscare.ca Submissions deadline is Friday, December 1 at 4:00 p.m. EST. If they’re selected as a winner, their favourite charity will benefit by receiving a $5,000 donation from the Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA).
Generosity is a lifelong commitment to think of others and our communities as well as ourselves. In fact, the movement encourages giving back throughout the year, whether through donations, volunteering, or in whatever other ways we can. #GivingEveryTuesday was born when people started asking, what if every Tuesday was GivingTuesday? #GivingEveryTuesday is a series of weekly opportunities to come together to give, volunteer and show kindness in shared moments with communities, causes and countries around the world. It’s another way the world comes together to inspire people to do good all year round.
If you don’t have personal time to give, you can give directly to a charity by visiting givingtuesday.ca and searching among thousands of registered charities to make a donation via CanadaHelps.org quickly and easily. The interactive map can show you which charities are participating in your city, area or town.
How are you giving? Share on social media with hashtag #GivingTuesdayCA and inspire others! To find out how to contribute or become a partner, view interactive maps to see what’s happening near you, or for volunteer opportunities, visit givingtuesday.ca for details.