UK charities urged to make the most of global day of giving
A global day of giving will mark the end of one of the busiest shopping weekends of the year.
Following on from the chaos of Black Friday, today, and Cyber Monday, #GivingTuesday, 2 December, is being billed as an opportunity for charities to promote the work they do and encourage the public and businesses to donate time, money or their voice to help a good cause.
First launched in the US in 2012 by 92nd Street Y in partnership with the United Nations Foundation, #GivingTuesday is taking place in the UK this year for the first time and is being observed around the world in countries such as Australia, Singapore, Canada, much of Latin America and Israel.
Organised by the Charities Aid Foundation (CAF), with the help of Blackbaud the campaign is gathering momentum with 600 UK businesses and charities signed up to take part including RSPCA, Alzheimer’s Research UK and Breast Cancer Care.
To take part charities are being encouraged to become a partner on the #GivingTuesday website and take some action to promote their cause.
We want you to use this day to increase donations, get more volunteers, raise awareness of your cause and highlight just how you make a difference to people’s lives on a daily basis
Organisers say there is no right or wrong way to get involved and suggest charities do what they know is best for them and their supporters while making use of the #GivingTuesday hashtag.
Suggestions include: organising a fundraiser on the day, starting a volunteer drive or social media campaign, or approaching businesses for matched funding opportunities.
A spokesperson for #GivingTuesday said: “This global day of giving was created to help promote the charitable sector and the good work that you do. We want you to use this day to increase donations, get more volunteers, raise awareness of your cause and highlight just how you make a difference to people’s lives on a daily basis.
“#GivingTuesday can support your Christmas campaigns, provide a national focus for something you would like to do in your community or simply help raise the profile of your cause.”
Hannah Terrey, head of policy and campaigns at the Charities Aid Foundation, added: ‘’#GivingTuesday is all about giving something back and we hope we can get the whole nation thinking about charity and being charitable at the start of the festive season.
‘’It is fantastic to see so much enthusiasm for the #GivingTuesday movement from people across the country including some brilliant charities and businesses.
“We are delighted by the support we have received so far and want to encourage as many businesses, charities and individuals to take up #GivingTuesday and really run with it.”
To take part in #GivingTuesday visit the website givingtuesday.org.uk, visit the Facebook page and tweet using the #GivingTuesday hashtag.
