Giving Tuesday, founded in 2012 as a global generosity movement, takes place every year on the Tuesday after Thanksgiving. According to GivingTuesday.org, the day is designed to counterbalance the consumer-driven energy of Black Friday and Cyber Monday by shifting focus toward service, generosity, and collective care.
Giving Tuesday is not about how much money a person or business can donate.
It’s about how people show up for one another.
Across the country, individuals, organizations, and brands use the day to support their communities in ways that have nothing to do with writing a check. Some of the most meaningful forms of giving include:
• Volunteering time at community centers, shelters, or local programs
• Sharing professional skills with someone who needs guidance or support
• Providing resources like food, supplies, or tools
• Amplifying causes that need visibility
• Organizing drives for coats, books, toys, or essentials
• Hosting free workshops or educational sessions
• Supporting mutual-aid efforts within neighborhoods
• Connecting people to opportunities or networks
• Offering acts of service that lighten someone’s load
• Using social platforms to promote verified causes and campaigns
Data from the GivingTuesday Data Commons shows that the majority of participation comes through non-financial giving: volunteering, advocacy, resource-sharing, and community support. The movement is built on the idea that generosity is something everyone can participate in, regardless of income level.
Giving Tuesday has grown into a global event because it centers a simple truth:
communities thrive when people give what they can — time, help, support, knowledge, or kindness.
The day is not about pressure or performance.
It’s about intention.
It’s about showing up in ways that matter.
And it’s about remembering that generosity does not require wealth — just willingness.
