Turn Black Friday into #GivingTuesday

Perhaps you have heard of #GivingTuesday, the global day designated to give back and donate to nonprofit organizations, causes, your passions, your communities and/or your states and countries. Created in 2012 by New York’s 92^nd Street Y and the United Nations Foundation, plus a team of influencers and founding partners, #GivingTuesday was launched as a global movement that has already engaged over 10,000 organizations worldwide.

Falling on the first Tuesday after Black Friday and Cyber Monday, the funding initative offers a new tradition in generosity and global celebrations. For some, it’s a brilliant last ditch effort to gain funds for their organization or cause. For others, it offers a way for the family to do good together. For municipalities and governing states, it’s more than that — turning the day into a large marketing campaign that can drive funds for organizations in their jurisdictions, and also indirectly drive the tourism dollar. Those of us that market for municipalities and the states should embrace this — it presents us with an enormous opportunity to capitalize on our messaging throughout the year, and in some cases, an entire promotional campaign.

#GivingTuesday.org offers a wealth of tools to help any company, organization, volunteer and the like to get their own campaign going. A few suggested tools include social media, videos, giving apps, and graphics.

In the United States, organizations, businesses, cities and states are gearing up for the giving back day in a big way. Here are a few examples of #GivingTuesday marcom campaigns:

The ASPCA promotion says; “…it’s not too early to help: between now and December 2, you have the opportunity to support the ASPCA, an official Giving Tuesday partner, and make a real difference for animals this holiday season. The ASPCA has teamed up with Crowdrise, one of the largest fundraising platforms on the Internet. From now until Giving Tuesday on December 2, you can stand with them in what is sure to be the largest Giving Tuesday celebration of all time.

The #MarylandGivesMore Campaign is a statewide effort to bring together nonprofits, donors, foundations, volunteers, and companies, to celebrate generosity and their ability to improve the lives of neighbors in need. The goal is to raise $12.2 million on 12/2. Their theme: Building a Culture of Contribution in Maryland. While their big goal is monetary, they are billing the day also as an organized day of volunteering, creative community initiatives, and celebration. #GivingTuesday is here to stay.

We should all capitalize on this social good initiative and join the global celebration. Have a wonderful Wednesday and very Happy Thanksgiving. #socialgood #givingtuesday