Giving Tuesday is underway: Join a Movement of Generosity

It is better to give than receive.

What was once simple reminder to choose generosity has, in just over a decade, evolved into a charitable holiday all its own.

Giving Tuesday, launched in 2012, arrived as a deliberate shift in tone after the annual retail sprint of Black Friday and Cyber Monday. It wasn’t an anti-shopping manifesto; it was a redirection. An invitation to change gears, breathe for a moment, and consider the communities around us. It framed generosity not as an afterthought to the holiday season, but as a cultural force in its own right.

And it did. A hashtag became a movement, and the movement became a fixture. Today, Giving Tuesday is one of the biggest charitable giving days of the year, embraced by nonprofits, and everyday donors across the country. What started as a modest experiment in digital goodwill has matured into a national ritual, one that signals the unofficial start of the giving season.

But this year, the urgency is sharper.

Federal funding cuts, inflationary pressures, and shrinking grant pools have put nonprofits in a bind. Food banks are seeing record demand. Animal shelters are over capacity. Healthcare organizations, housing advocates, youth programs, and local service networks are scrambling to meet needs that continue to outpace their budgets. These organizations, often invisible until someone needs them, are carrying heavier loads with fewer resources to keep pace.

The need is unprecedented. The gap is widening. And the groups that hold communities together are asking for help.

If you can give, Giving Tuesday offers a uniquely powerful moment to act. Many nonprofits activate matching gifts on this day, doubling the impact of every dollar, and turning even small contributions into meaningful support. A modest donation becomes fuel: food on shelves, beds for animals, medical supplies, housing assistance, crisis relief, hope.

In a season defined by abundance, Giving Tuesday stands as a reminder that generosity isn’t just admirable — it’s essential. This year, more than any in recent memory, your gift can carry further, lift more, and matter deeply.