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StoriesEvents GivingEveryTuesday

Toolkit for Small Businesses

Small Businesses are the lifeblood of our communities, as the places we work, eat, shop, play and gather.  On GivingTuesday, small businesses around the world will once again rally together for those in need. This toolkit contains ideas for how small businesses can participate in GivingTuesday.

Ideas for Small Businesses

GivingTuesday is about giving in all ways – some businesses may choose to give a financial contribution to their favorite nonprofit, others will start an advocacy campaign, donate goods or extra supplies, or share gratitude to frontline workers and those keeping us safe. 

There are many ways businesses can be a part of this global day of generosity by using their networks, talents, and resources for good.  

  • Raise money for an organization or cause you and your employees are passionate about.
  • If you have a storefront, coordinate a drive of specific goods and coordinate pickup with a nonprofit that can get them to the right people or give to neighbors around your business.
  • Share kindness with your neighbors–have employees check on those who are alone, elderly or may need help with errands or a friendly call.
  • Use your social channels to encourage others to share kindness and be generous.
  • Restaurants: make a few extra dishes or package excess inventory and give to a few elderly neighbors or people experiencing homelessness
  • Restaurants: organize a Dine Out, Do Good program with other local establishments. Commit to giving a portion of sales to charity on GivingTuesday.
  • Have a team with a special talent or skill, consider sharing it with others online while fundraising for a nonprofit or offer a free training session. 
  • Collaborate with other local businesses on a food distribution or pop-up market for those in need.

Be sure to check if your country, community, or neighborhood has a local GivingTuesday movement happening. If so, join efforts and amplify voices!  

A sign outside a tire shop in West Virginia. It says "Doing good is great! GivingTuesday"

Simple Ways to Spread the Love Online

Social Media Ideas

  • Post an #Unselfie–a post on social media that shares a message about why your business gives back and what you are passionate about 
  • Create an online fundraiser for your favorite organization or support current efforts of a nonprofit your business cares about 
  • Change your business’s Twitter display name to show your support for a nonprofit or a community.  
  • Add Facebook frame to your profile to show that you’re giving back for GivingTuesday
  • Add an Instagram donate sticker to your story
  • Share a story about who is inspiring you to help and why your community is so important to you
  • Use our “Together we…” theme to share ideas how together we can help (see graphics below for ideas!)
  • Add a link to a favorite nonprofit in your instagram profile.

Connect with us so we can help boost your ideas!

  • Talk about giving and generosity using the hashtag #GivingTuesday.
  • Follow @GivingTuesday on social media.

Email Templates

Email is one of the most effective ways to communicate with your audience this time of year. To make sure your subscribers don’t miss a thing you’re doing this holiday season, we recommend sending a 5-email campaign:

Email #1: Give your subscribers a heads up as soon as you can, letting them know about your special offers on Small Business Saturday and how you’ll be participating in GivingTuesday.

Email #2: Send a reminder email about a week before the holiday shopping weekend. Make sure to include the date, your specific offer, and everything they need to know about your sale.

Email #3: Send an email on Small Business Saturday. Let your subscribers know about your promotion and how much you value their support on Small Business Saturday.

Email #4: Send an email on Giving Tuesday. Let your audience know about a cause you care about and encourage them to donate or volunteer.

Or, you could even lead a volunteer group and let your audience know your store will be closed so you can spend time giving back to your community. Consumers want to support brands that give to others and do their part to make their community a better place.

Email #5: Say thank you. Segment your list and say thank you to those subscribers who supported you during Small Business Saturday or GivingTuesday.

Your last email is also a good opportunity to follow up with an exclusive offer. Focus on ways to provide ongoing value to your customers through discount codes, guides, courses, or other types of content that will help them.

In-Store Ideas

Amplify GivingTuesday with store signage

You can also run a donation drive on GivingTuesday. Collect non-perishable food or home goods to bring to a nonprofit’s collection. And be sure to take lots of photos along the way so your customers can see how big of a collective impact they helped you make.

Create a new product, flavor, or brew in honor of GivingTuesday. We’ve seen everything from ice cream flavors to custom GivingTuesday beers.

Host a social good organization as your guest on GivingTuesday! In South Africa, Ground Coffee House celebrated The Amathuba Foundation by throwing them a party. They decorated with balloons and banners, offered photo booth opportunities, and activities to support the nonprofit’s mission, as well as donating proceeds of coffee sales that day. It allowed the coffee shop patrons an opportunity to get connected with a local organization doing good in the neighborhood.

Sample Social Media Messages

Twitter

  • We are showing our support for [cause/nonprofit] this December 3 for #GivingTuesday. Together we can heal the world.
  • We are proud to stand with people around the world in raising awareness & support for those helping our communities. Join us in giving back this #GivingTuesday: https://givingtuesday.org.
  • Join me and millions around the world in giving back, spreading kindness, and showing how together we can be a force for good on #GivingTuesday: https://givingtuesday.org.

Facebook/Instagram/LinkedIn

  • We are showing our support for [cause/nonprofit] this December 3 for #GivingTuesday. Together we can give back to communities around the world.
  • We are proud to stand with people around the world in raising awareness & support for those helping our communities. Join us in giving back this #GivingTuesday: http://givingtuesday.org.
  • Join me and millions around the world in giving back, spreading kindness, and showing how together we can be a force for good on #GivingTuesday: givingtuesday.org.
Make a difference in your community + inspire others to join in

Graphics and Downloads

Use our Canva templates and posters + help get the word out about GivingTuesday