This year, on Tuesday, November 30th, Giving Tuesday is celebrated, the global day of giving.

Individuals and organizations are called on to help the nonprofit organizations serving as the backbone and strength of every community. Posts of campaigns with the hashtag #GivingTuesday will social platforms inviting you to help charities with a donation or volunteering. 

The idea of giving to others the day after Thanksgiving was born in 2012 to build a world where generosity is part of our everyday life. The call is to pause the daily bustle and think “How can I help others? Either putting a smile on their faces or in any other way.

The concept was developed by 92nd Street and the Belfer Center for Innovation & Social Impact in New York City to become an independent non-profit and global movement.

Here are some ways you can help on Giving Tuesday

Giving Tuesday is not exclusively about donating money, you can support small businesses too. 

• Show gratitude and shine a light on your employees and customers thanking them for their support on your social channels.
• Raise money or give a portion of sales to an organization you and your employees are passionate about.
• Offer a matching grant to a specific nonprofits or match your employees’ donations on GivingTuesday
• If you have a storefront, coordinate a drive of specific goods and coordinate pickup with a nonprofit that can get them to the right people or give to neighbors around your business.
• Close up shop for the day and volunteer together as a team.
• Have a marquee or billboard space? Lend it to your local Community campaign to spread the word!
• Use your social channels to encourage others to share kindness and be generous.

There’s always something to give and anyone, anyone can benefit from your generosity. Whether you’re an individual, community organization, nonprofit, small business, or brand there are hundreds of different ways to plug in to the GivingTuesday movement. Get ideas for how to participate and tools for organizing a successful activation below. Be sure to also also connect with your local community at GivingTuesday.org for more opportunities to give back locally.