Think you suck at trivia? Well, you’re not alone. 

For MJ Deery, creative director at Duncan Channon and part time trivia host, she’s heard it all. By tapping into the hype and magic behind GivingTuesday, she hopes folks move past their fears of failure, dive in, and have fun with trivia nights. Trivia nights, she thinks, are the perfect chance to learn something new, make friends, and with December 2 right around the corner—support a cause close to your community. 

If you’re wondering how trivia can play a role in your GivingTuesday campaign planning, keep reading. In our conversation with MJ, she shares why preparation matters, what she’s learned as a host, and how a little creativity can turn trivia into a powerful tool that brings together community and generosity. 

Q: When did you first hear about GivingTuesday, and what was your initial reaction? 

I became aware of GivingTuesday early on, might’ve even been in its first year back in 2012. 

As a writer, I was immediately drawn to the name. It cleverly drafts off of Black Friday and Cyber Monday yet GivingTuesday distinguishes itself as a day of charity, versus a day of consumption. Even better, the name offers a sort of framework of responsibility. If you have the means to shop on the biggest consumer spending day of the year, and then a few days later, shop again online, you can certainly give a few bucks or moments of your time to your community. It’s an easy sell, at least for me. 

Putting charitable giving on the same level as gifting, is just brilliant. 

Q: What about trivia interests you? Is there a specific category you know you can always win? 

How about I start with what I don’t like about trivia. 

There’s bias in the game. It often draws from things we learned in school like geography and war. Other questions draw on our knowledge of sports or old movies. The thing is though, not everyone has the same education, study time, or leisure time. And certainly, knowledge of professional sports relies on the patriarchal underpinnings of our media ecosystems. As a result, the people I know have a startlingly common response to trivia night which is, “I suck at trivia.” To that I say, no one sucks at trivia. 

Everyone, however, sucks at my trivia. 

I design my questions to be unusual. For example, there are a gazillion oddities in marine biology and land animal biology that hardly anyone knows about, and they’re fascinating! Landmarks from other countries can be super weird and surprising, too. With music and literature, I try to avoid drawing from America’s dominant culture. In everything I do, visuals are key. We have a huge screen we use to display our Google Doc of questions, allowing for plenty of visually-driven fun. 

It keeps the room interested and amused. 

Q: What advice would you give to individuals who want to give back to their community but aren’t sure where to start? 

Start with something you’re passionate about. In the same way that I saw an opportunity for trivia to evolve, you might have a contest or an event that you think you can revamp. That’s not to say your GivingTuesday needs to be a reimagining. It just needs to be something you think is worth your time and effort—make it unique. 

Q: Any lessons learned from hosting trivia events so far? 

You need a run-through, especially if your event relies on audio and/or visual aids. Reminding people to RSVP requires several pieces of communication too. It’s not like a regular party where you just send one invite and wait for the RSVPs to roll in. It’s a charity event! You need to keep in touch with your audience early and often. I also find it helps to put something from your event in your invite. In my case, I tend to lead with a trivia question, then in subsequent communications, I refresh with a new question. 

Q: What three tips would you give someone who is hosting an event for the first time? 

1. Know your material. Practice several times and make sure your spiel is pretty fluid. The confidence of having a command over your subject will help your audience feel like they are in good hands with you as their emcee. Your confidence will enhance the experience. 
2. Know your cause(s) well. In my case, I give a choice of three. (Winners choose which charity we support.) And I make sure I give a round up of what each organization is working to achieve. I’ll also give background on GivingTuesday’s success as an organization because people like to be a part of something with traction.  
3. Food and drinks matter. You want to make people feel cared for. Something as simple as chips, salsa, and bottled water goes a long way, or making sure the venue you’re in has a menu people can order from. 

Q: Do you have a favorite place or time of year to host trivia events? 

GivingTuesday, which is on December 2 this year, is the best time to host an event! People are excited about the giving season, they want to learn more, and there’s so much hype to tap into. Lean into the positive energy. 

Q: December 2 is coming up fast! What will you be doing to celebrate GivingTuesday? 

I’ll be hosting trivia, of course! 

Bring Trivia into Your GivingTuesday Planning

MJ hosts a trivia night on GivingTuesday focused on the day itself, showing how fun, interactive events can spark generosity and community engagement. If you’re looking for ways to incorporate trivia into your own GivingTuesday plans, here are a few ideas:

• Host a GivingTuesday-themed trivia night in person or virtually, with questions about your mission, impact, or GivingTuesday history.

• Use trivia as a fundraiser, asking participants to donate to play or offering matching gifts for correct answers.

• Create a “quiz for good” online, sharing questions on social media or in your newsletter to engage supporters and spread awareness.

• Team up with partners to co-host trivia, expanding your audience and multiplying engagement.

By turning GivingTuesday into an interactive, exciting experience, you can connect with your community, showcase your mission, and inspire generosity—all while having fun!