what is GivingTuesday?

Black Friday, which takes place the Friday after the U.S. Thanksgiving holiday, often kicks off the holiday shopping season. Many consumers wake up early and wait in long lines to take advantage of in-store bargains. It’s followed by Cyber Monday, a 24-hour event to encourage online shopping.

But for those looking for a more meaningful way to celebrate the holiday season, GivingTuesday is the answer. GivingTuesday is a day dedicated to coming together for important causes and collectively helping to make the world a better place.

what is the Giving Tuesday movement?

GivingTuesday is a movement based on the power of generosity. The annual celebration event occurs on the Tuesday after U.S. Thanksgiving.

GivingTuesday was created in 2012 in the U.S. as a simple idea: to encourage people to do good. It grew into a global movement celebrated by many partners including individuals and families, nonprofits, schools, religious organizations and small businesses. Today, 80 countries participate in the event.

who can take part?

GivingTuesday’s common mission is “to build a world where generosity is part of everyday life.” The movement encourages everyone to take part. Every act of generosity counts—whether it is making someone smile, helping a stranger, supporting an issue or cause, or giving time or money. 

80 countries host GivingTuesday every year. Anyone can participate, including people looking to make charitable contributions and the organizations that benefit from those efforts.

how can I give?

There are many ways to give every day, every Tuesday, or on the day of the GivingTuesday annual celebration event. The movement offers some ideas:

• Donate money to a nonprofit (like IFAW).
• Fundraise through events that bring your community together and spread joy.
• Spread the word by sharing your charity of choice’s story on social media and encourage your family and friends to help that charity.
• Show kindness to friends and neighbors (e.g., help an elderly neighbor with chores or pay someone’s overdue gas or water bill).
• Volunteer for an organization or cause that’s important to you.
• Help the planet (e.g., organize a beach or park cleanup or plant a tree).
• Help animals (e.g., consider adopting or fostering or drop off food or toys to a local pet shelter).
• Lead a GivingTuesday community.

how big an impact does GivingTuesday make?

With over 80 national movements, 260 communities around the world and millions of acts of generosity, GivingTuesday makes a massive impact.

According to the 2021 impact report, $2.7 billion was given and 35 million adults participated in the annual celebration event in the U.S. alone.

GivingTuesday reminds us that everyone has something to give, and every act of generosity counts toward making a better world based on generosity.

ifaw and Giving Tuesday

IFAW has been actively participating in the GivingTuesday movement ever since its inception. In 2021, more than 6,200 generous supporters joined our GivingTuesday campaign from the U.S., Canada, Australia, Germany, the Netherlands, France and the United Kingdom. We look forward to celebrating this event every year and working with like-minded communities in our joint cause of making the world a better place for animals and people. Please keep checking our website and social media for ways to get involved.