GivingTuesday Gains Momentum
14 November 2013 at 12:18 pm
More than 100 charities and businesses have already registered to be part of #GivingTuesday on the Australian website with many more expected to join in the coming weeks.
Led in Australia by national Not for Profit organisation, Connecting Up, charities, businesses and individuals will celebrate a national day of giving to kick off the festive season and participate in a global movement called #GivingTuesday on December 3.
#GivingTuesday is a global day dedicated to charitable giving, harnessing the power of social media and the generosity of people around the world to bring about real change in their communities.
#GivingTuesday celebrates and encourages people to give their time, resources, talents and social media voice to a new kind of philanthropy that is about social purpose and collaboration for a better world.
“Participating in #GivingTuesday is a simple way for the Not for Profit and corporate sectors to come together and celebrate giving in Australia,” CEO of Connecting Up, Anne Gawen, said.
“Being part of a global movement will also give us the chance to showcase the positive work Australians are doing to make a difference in the world.
“Being involved on the day can be as easy as sharing a photo or story through social media that represents giving and using the #GivingTuesday hashtag. However, a number of organisations have already been working on their own campaigns to activate their communities and supporters to give back.
“Many charities are using #GivingTuesday to support their end-of-year fundraising campaigns, but some are encouraging a different type of giving on the day. With #GivingTuesday coinciding with the Special Olympics 2013 Asia Pacific Games and International Day of People With a Disability, Special Olympics Australia are calling for supporters to spur on their athletes through social media.”
Launched in 2012 by the 92nd Street Y in New York City, the first-ever #GivingTuesday brought together more than 2,500 partners in all 50 US states. These partners created innovative fundraising and volunteer initiatives fuelled by and shared on social media.
Henry Timms, Interim Executive Director of 92nd Street Y, creator of #GivingTuesday, is pleased to have Australia come on board.
“This year we are seeing so many dynamic campaigns coming together all over the world to form a global community around the idea of giving. It has been humbling to see an idea that took root in one of 92Y’s core values – repairing the world – resonate with people, organizations, and business entities around the world who have taken it upon themselves to create new and innovative ways to inspire and facilitate giving,” he said.
Not for Profits, charities and businesses who want to join more than 100 partners already participating can find out more about the day and register their #GivingTuesday initiative on the Australian website.
