FAQ - GivingTuesday

General FAQ

What is GivingTuesday?

GivingTuesday is a global generosity movement that unleashes the power of radical generosity around the world.

GivingTuesday was created in 2012 as a simple idea: a day that encourages people to do good. Over the past nine years, this idea has grown into a global movement that inspires hundreds of millions of people to give, collaborate, and celebrate generosity.

GivingTuesday strives to build a world in which the catalytic power of generosity is at the heart of the society we build together, unlocking dignity, opportunity, and equity around the globe.

GivingTuesday’s global network collaborates year-round to inspire generosity around the world, with a common mission to build a world where generosity is part of everyday life.

What is radical generosity?

While many call on philanthropists, policymakers and grantmakers to repair broken systems, GivingTuesday recognizes that we each can drive an enormous amount of positive change by rooting our everyday actions, decisions and behavior in radical generosity—the concept that the suffering of others should be as intolerable to us as our own suffering. Radical generosity invites people in to give what they can to create systemic change.

When is GivingTuesday?

Every day, though our annual celebration event will take place on November 28, 2023.

Who organizes GivingTuesday?

GivingTuesday is an independent nonprofit organization that is dedicated to unleashing the power of people and organizations to transform their communities and the world. The movement is organized in partnership with GivingTuesday’s global network of leaders, partners, communities and generous individuals.

Our ultimate goal is to create a more just and generous world, one where generosity is at the heart of the society we build together, unlocking dignity, opportunity, and equity around the globe.

What is a GivingTuesday country movement?

GivingTuesday is hosted in 90 countries by leaders who are passionate about growing radical generosity. They rally nonprofits, businesses, and individuals throughout their countries. To get involved in GivingTuesday in your country, press the Join button in the menu.

What is a GivingTuesday community movement?

GivingTuesday Communities come together around a common geography (eg. city or state) or issue area to collaborate, innovate, transform, and inspire their communities to make a difference. These Community campaigns find creative ways to mobilize their networks, host volunteer events, raise funds for their local nonprofits, spark waves of kindness, and much more. Click here to find and connect with a local GivingTuesday community group where you live.

Who can participate?

Everyone! GivingTuesday has been built by a broad coalition of partners, including individuals, families, nonprofits, schools, religious organizations, small businesses and corporations. There are people and organizations participating in GivingTuesday in every country in the world.

Participating in GivingTuesday is about joining a movement for generosity, and there are so many ways to do that. Whether you give your voice, goods, your time, or your money, being generous is a way to fight for the causes you care about and help people in need.

What do you do on GivingTuesday?

On GivingTuesday, millions of people all around the world, use their power of radical generosity to change the world. They volunteer at homeless shelters, organize food drives, fill their community fridges, donate to mutual aid funds, spread messages of solidarity and hope.

Here are some ideas you might consider:

Share kindness with your neighbors.
Volunteer virtually or share your talents
Give your voice to a cause that matters to you
Show gratitude to healthcare workers, service providers, and other essential workers who are making sure we still have the services we rely on, even at risk to their own health.
Discover a local fundraiser, community drive or coordinated event to join others in your area or with your same interests in giving back — they need your help. Search for opportunities here
Give to your favorite cause or a fundraiser to help those in need.
Talk about giving and generosity using the hashtag #GivingTuesday

Check out our ideas page for more ways to participate in GivingTuesday.

Is there a list of partcipating organizations?

There isn’t a list of nonprofits or organizations that are participating in GivingTuesday. You should feel free to give to any nonprofit, community organization, mutual aid association, individual, or cause that speaks to your heart. You can find a blog post with suggestions on how to connect with your local nonprofits here.

What does it cost to participate?

There is no cost to participating in GivingTuesday. GivingTuesday is a free and open movement to unleash generosity and all of our resources are available for free through our website.

If you are an individual who wants to give back, there are many ways to do so. GivingTuesday celebrates giving of all types — some may choose to give a financial contribution to their favorite cause or a fundraising drive, and others will opt to reach out to neighbors, start an advocacy campaign, donate goods or extra supplies. If you can show generosity and share kindness, you have something to give!

Keep in mind that the digital fundraising platforms that nonprofits use typically involve a fee – please help support them by covering this fee!

Does the GivingTuesday organization raise money or collect fees to participate in the annual GivingTuesday event?

No. All fundraising activities and the funds raised on GivingTuesday are directed by each participating nonprofit organization directly and processed by the giving platform of their choice. All money raised on GivingTuesday goes immediately to the nonprofit or community organization that solicited the funds. GivingTuesday does not collect any donations on behalf of nonprofits nor any fees.

Wait, so how is GivingTuesday the organization funded?

Great question! You can find out listing of incredible supporters on our About Us page.

Will my donation by matched on GivingTuesday?

The GivingTuesday team does not organize or distribute matching gifts, but often, in honor of GivingTuesday, companies and businesses provide them. Please follow us on social media to learn about match opportunities. You should also check in with your employer, as many companies match their employees’ charitable donations.

How can small businesses and brands paticipate in GivingTuesday?

Small Businesses and brands participate in GivingTuesday by using their platforms, networks, talents and resources for good. Some businesses give a percentage of sales to a nonprofit on GivingTuesday, others serve as a drop off spot for a goods collection, offer matching grants to local organizations, or volunteer together as a team. Find more ideas about how businesses can participate in GivingTuesday here.

How can schools and universities participate in GivingTuesday?

Schools and universities of all types participate in GivingTuesday by rallying their alumni to give, completing service projects, or sharing what they’re learning in their college marketing classes with nonprofits who are getting ready for GivingTuesday. Find more ideas for schools and universities here.

How can families and youth participate in GivingTuesday?

GivingTuesday is a great opportunity to teach the value of giving and generosity to young people. Get ideas for how your family can participate in the global giving moment by connecting with our youth-led movement, GivingTuesdaySpark.

Can I redesign the GivingTuesday logo?

Please do! GivingTuesday is unbranded – we believe that movements shouldn’t be trademarked, that innovation is critical in civil society, and that creativity is essential to successful GivingTuesday campaigns. We provide the original art files on our website because we want you to adapt the movement in a way that is authentic and will resonate with your community.

Some of our favorite examples:
– a testicular cancer organzation flipped the heart upside down to make, well… y’know.
– an arts organization formed the heart logo out of crayons
– most nonprofits change the color to match their brand at the very least, but we welcome and encourage adaptation.

You should feel free to change the name too! GivingShoesDay, GivingZooDay – it’s all good!

GivingTuesday is not trademarked. In fact, the more creative you are, the more likely we are to share your innovation.

I have a question that wasn't answered. How can I reach you?

Please feel free to email us at info@givingtuesday.org. We’re happy to answer any questions you might have!

FAQ for Nonprofits

Does my nonprofit have to register for GivingTuesday?

There is no registration for GivingTuesday. All organizations, 501c3 or otherwise, are welcome and encouraged to participate in GivingTuesday.

No matter how you’re planning on participating on November 28,2023 you’ll simply direct your supporters to your website, a landing page, or to your social channels. If you are fundraising for GivingTuesday, you can use any donation platform you like – most organizations use their website’s donate button. Find everything you need to know about participating in GivingTuesday as an organization here.

If your organization is participating with a locally-led GivingTuesday community or country movement, you may need to register or sign up for a profile page. Learn more on your local campaign’s website.

Does my nonprofit get a GivingTuesday landing page?

Your nonprofit does not get a GivingTuesday landing page. You should just be directing your supporters to your own website.
Some local community GivingTuesday movements offer landing pages – please check with them directly.

Is there a certain donation platform that my nonprofit has to use to participate in GivingTuesday?

Your nonprofit is not required to use any specific technology product in order to participate in GivingTuesday. Whatever your nonprofit uses day to day to fundraise, community build, and mobilize, is perfectly fine to use on GivingTuesday. If you are fundraising for GivingTuesday, just direct your supporters to your website’s donate button.

Does my nonprofit have to be a 501c3 or registered charity to participate in GivingTuesday?

Everyone is welcome to participate in GivingTuesday, whether your organization is a registered charity or not.

If you’re in the United States, it’s perfectly ok to fundraise as a non-registered charity as long as you clearly communicate that supporters’ donations aren’t tax deductible. If you are elsewhere in the world, you will need to adhere to local laws regarding charitable fundraising.

Is there a list of eligible or participating nonprofits?

There is no list of participating nonprofits. All nonprofits, community organizations, registered charities, non-registered charities, and volunteer groups are automatically eligible to participate in GivingTuesday.

What does it cost to participate as a nonprofit?

There is no cost to participating in GivingTuesday. GivingTuesday is a free and open movement to unleash generosity and all of our resources are available for free through our website.

If your nonprofit is using a digital fundraising platform, there may be costs associated with the tool you choose to use but this cost is no different than it is any other day of the year. Check with your technology providers for more information.

Will my nonprofit's donations be matched on GivingTuesday?

The GivingTuesday team does not organize or distribute matching gifts, but often, in honor of GivingTuesday, companies and businesses provide them. If you plan to participate in one of these programs, please read all insructions thoroughly and carefully.

Nonprofits can organize their own matching grants amongst their major donors and corporate sponsors. Local GivingTuesday community and country campaigns often have matches or prizes available.

Don’t forget to encourage your donors to check if their employers will match their gift.

How can a nonprofit run a GivingTuesday campaign?

Nonprofits can run GivingTuesday campaigns in whatever way they’d like! GivingTuesday is a great opportunity to harness the energy of millions of eager givers. The first thing to do is to decide on how your nonprofit will participate. Whether it’s by fundraising for your own organization, fundraising for another organization, mobilizing volunteers, or collaborating with others to fill a gap in your community, GivingTuesday is a great opportunity to mobilize generosity in all forms.

Find lots of ideas and tactics for organizing a successful campaign at our nonprofit hub page.
Be sure to check in with your local country movement for translated materials and even more tips.
Get on our nonprofit newsletter for the latest opportunities, events, and resources.

I have a question that wasn't answered

Please feel free to email us at info@givingtuesday.org. We’re happy to answer any questions you might have!