We didn't even notice when Christmas shopping became a gruelling annual rally. When finding presents for loved ones lost any semblance of joy and became a struggle. Crowded car parks, overcrowded shops, price rises and shortages of desirable goods have become the hallmark of November and December trading.
The culmination of the madness is Black Friday. We all look forward to the amazing promotions, queue up and refresh the websites of online shops from the very morning, getting ready to fight for the best prices. Dazzled by the excitement, we move too quickly and throw too much into our shopping baskets.
Inspired by the success of Black Friday, high street retailers are extending the consumer holiday by giving shoppers another chance to snap up unimaginable bargains on Cyber Monday. The day has a relatively short history, dating back to 2005. However, it has been well received and has become a permanent event in the Christmas calendar.
Two days spent in crowded shops rob us of money, energy and any Christmas cheer. Tired of shopping, we want to give presents to whomever we need to, unwrap our own more or less fitting gifts, exchange pleasantries, and then go home and finally relax.
Many of us have forgotten that Christmas is supposed to be fun. Fortunately, there are still people out there who want to restore it to its lost glory.
Go to section:
- What is Giving Tuesday?
- How to celebrate the Day of Giving?
- International Giving Day
What is Giving Tuesday?
Giving Tuesday is a global movement of generosity. It began in 2012 as a response to the consumerism of Black Friday and Cyber Monday by the 92nd Street Y in New York in partnership with the United Nations Foundation. The day was created to encourage people to give back to their communities through donations, volunteering or acts of kindness.
In the following years, Giving Tuesday has grown in importance in Europe as a way to promote charitable giving and community support. For instance, the United Kingdom launched #GivingTuesdayUK in 2014. Similarly, Germany introduced #GivingTuesdayDE in 2015, and France followed with #GivingTuesdayFR in 2016. The movement's expansion continued, and by 2022, European leaders meeting in Brussels highlighted the growing significance of Giving Tuesday across the continent. The tradition highlights the importance of solidarity and collective action, drawing attention to the needs of non-profit organisations and inspiring generosity.
When is Giving Tuesday 2024?
Generally, Giving Tuesday is a Tuesday following Thanksgiving in the United States. Thanksgiving is a movable holiday celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November. With this in mind, it is not difficult to work out that this year's Giving Tuesday will be on the 3rd of December.
How to celebrate the Day of Giving?
There are many meaningful ways to participate in the International Day of Giving. People can participate by donating to their favourite charities, volunteering for local causes or supporting social initiatives in their community. You can also use social media to raise awareness and encourage others to give generously on Giving Tuesday.
Giving Tuesday fundraising
On Giving Tuesday, fundraising brings people from all over the world together, showing how powerful we can be when we work as a team to help others. It’s a way to turn kindness into real action that can make the world a better place.
Thanks to the development of online fundraising, we can do this easier and faster than ever before. We can support each other even if we live in different countries and speak different languages. Especially if we use a multilingual fundraising platform and pay in an international currency.
Do you want to give it a try? Just click on the button below. It costs nothing and can be a lot of fun!
Create fundraiser - for free, no fee!
Create fundraiser - for free, no fee!
Giving a generous support
You don't have to organise your fundraiser to help someone on Giving Tuesday. On 4fund.com you can easily participate in other forms of support. Just explore the options and choose the one that best suits your needs.
Donations
A great thing to do is to donate a small amount to any fundraiser. It could be 1 euro, a few cents or the tip of what you have in your account. Don't think it's not enough. If everyone thought that, no one would donate to any fundraiser! If you've never donated before, find out how to donate at 4fund.com.
Moneyboxes
If you think your friends or viewers might follow your lead, try setting up a moneybox for an ongoing fundraiser. The moneybox is your team fundraiser, which you can sign with your name or nickname, or even include any photo you like! All the money you raise will go directly to the fundraiser you created the moneybox for. However, the moneybox will count the amount of money that has gone through it. This way you know how much money you have raised.
Supporting a non-profit organisation
Do you want to support a specific NGO? You can do this by organising a Fundraiser for Organisation.
Create a fundraiser on behalf of your favourite NGO
Create a fundraiser on behalf of your favourite NGO
Fundraiser for Organisation gives you the same capabilities as a regular fundraiser. You can add your description, photos, auctions, offers, and even use donors' email addresses. The only difference is the account number where you can withdraw the money.
In the case of a regular fundraiser, the money will be paid into the organiser's account. In the case of a Fundraiser for Organisation, the organiser can only pay the money into the account of the chosen NGO. In the case of school or company fundraisers, this is a big plus. The money raised goes directly to the beneficiary and does not have to go through a private bank account.
Corporate Fundraising
Corporate fundraising plays an important role in the positive impact of Giving Tuesday. Fundraising efforts align with corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives. CSR is about companies taking responsibility for the social and environmental effects of their actions, and Giving Tuesday is an excellent opportunity to demonstrate this commitment.
In addition, actively supporting charitable causes helps companies attract and retain employees who value social responsibility. It shows that the company cares about making a difference and creates a sense of community pride among employees, fostering a positive working environment. Supporting Giving Tuesday through fundraising can also enhance a company's reputation with customers and partners, making it known as a company that gives back to the community.
Business users can use all the fundraising tools offered by 4fund.com. Businesses can set up regular fundraisers, Fundraisers for Organisations and create moneyboxes. A wide range of fundraising personalisation tools will allow any organiser to tailor a fundraiser to their communication style and the needs and involvement of their employees.
Social Media Posts
The global day of generosity has reached the Old Continent, thanks in part to the growing popularity of the hashtag #GivingTuesday. It is being used by NGOs, celebrities, volunteers, community workers and random people who have done some good on the day and want to share it with the world. You too can use the #GivingTuesday hashtag! If you don't have an idea, you can use our suggestions.
Giving Tuesday post idea for NGOs
For NGOs, Giving Tuesday is a great time to raise funds. Slick social media communications can go a long way!
Try to share your latest or most significant fundraising effort on Giving Tuesday. Prepare an engaging post that briefly explains the fundraising goal, and includes a call for donations and a link to the fundraiser. This can be paired with compelling photos or a video that showcases the organisation's impact to date, fundraising successes, and goals achieved.
If you have permission, use a picture of those who have benefited from the organisation's work. You can also prepare a graphic that encourages people to donate.
Giving Tuesday post idea for volunteers
Giving Tuesday is a celebration of volunteers. On this day, you are an example of what it takes to make Christmas meaningful again. By sharing your work on social media, you can teach and inspire. Just don't forget the hashtag!
For Giving Tuesday, you can prepare a post that reflects your most recent or significant volunteering experience, with a brief description of what was achieved and why it was meaningful. Include a selfie from the volunteer site, a group photo with other volunteers, or a short video message inspiring others to get involved. A picture of you 'in action' (e.g. unpacking donations or cleaning up an area) can add a personal touch.
Giving Tuesday post idea for influencers
Those with a wide reach have a great responsibility for the content they share. Fans often trust an idol's content uncritically. In this case, a small mistake by one person can lead to hundreds of people donating money into the wrong hands.
On 4fund.com we care about the safety of our donators. We review every fundraising campaign, flag those that we have positively verified, and if we have any doubts, we withhold the organiser's ability to withdraw funds until they are cleared. In this way, we act to protect donors, whose noble intentions should never be exploited by dishonest organisers.
If you are interested in the topic of security and iconographic indications of the level of verification of fundraisers, go to the article on verification. Meanwhile, let's get back to ideas for social media posts.
#GivingTuesday is a great space to show your good heart and kind intentions. You can describe a cause you're supporting and why it's important to you. Consider encouraging followers to share the fundraiser or perform their acts of kindness. If you share an online fundraiser, remember to include a clickable link in your Instagram Stories.
Giving Tuesday post idea for group act of kindness
Group activities bring people together, whether it is a group of friends, students in a class or employees in a company. The bonding effect is enhanced when something good comes out of a group activity. It's a good idea to showcase that goodness on social media, especially if it's Giving Tuesday!
You can prepare material documenting the group activity with a thank you message to everyone involved. Include a group photo from the event, a live video of the volunteer activity, or a collective message from group members sharing what giving back means to them. Be an inspiration to others and show them how much fun it is to do good things together!
Giving Tuesday post idea for individual act of kindness
Personal acts of kindness, no matter how big or small, can make a difference in the world. Every good thing counts, and your efforts can be a real inspiration to others. Be sure to share it on Giving Tuesday with the appropriate hashtag!
Describe what you did (e.g., donating to a charity, picking up litter) and how it felt to help out. Attach a photo of a donation confirmation, a selfie at the site where you took action or a before-and-after graphic that shows the impact of your efforts.
International Giving Day
We have already talked about how Giving Tuesday is known around the world. Do you know what the day is like in different European countries? We have collected the most interesting facts for you.
Giving Tuesday in Romania
In Romania, Giving Tuesday is celebrated as "Săptămâna Generozității" and lasts not one day, but a whole week!. This initiative, part of the global Giving Tuesday movement, encourages acts of generosity at all levels. People across the country are involved in various activities such as donating time, goods, money, blood, voice and expertise to causes they believe in.
The Generosity Week in Romania begins seven days before the international Giving Tuesday and culminates on that day. The purpose of this extended celebration is to promote and encourage generosity and social commitment on a global scale.
Giving Tuesday in Germany
In Germany, Giving Tuesday is celebrated with various activities aimed at promoting generosity and community involvement. Non-profit organisations, companies and individuals participate by organising fundraising campaigns, volunteering events and raising awareness about different social causes.
For example, companies may match employee donations or host charity events, while individuals may perform acts of kindness or donate to their favourite charities. In addition, educational institutions in Germany often get involved by organising events that teach students about the importance of philanthropy and community service, fostering a culture of giving from an early age.
A unique aspect of the German celebration is the emphasis on digital engagement. Many organisations use social media platforms to share stories of generosity, encourage online donations and mobilise supporters. This digital focus allows for widespread participation and amplification of charitable messages across the country.
Giving Tuesday in Italy
In Italy, Giving Tuesday, known as "Giornata Mondiale del Dono," is celebrated with a variety of activities aimed at promoting generosity and solidarity.
The Italian celebration of Giving Tuesday is coordinated by Fondazione AIFR - Associazione Italiana di Fundraising, which serves as the global leader for the event in Italy. The Foundation organises and promotes the event in collaboration with various partners who share the values and mission of Giving Tuesday. This collaboration aims to highlight the work of the Italian non-profit sector and encourage people to support its impact.
The event inspires individuals, organisations, schools, and businesses to participate through donations, volunteer work, and acts of kindness.
In 2024, Giving Tuesday will coincide with a local fundraising celebration called Fundraising Day. We think this is a very happy coincidence. After all, fundraising is about working together towards a common financial goal. And Christmas is about helping and being together!
Giving Tuesday in Spain
In Spain, Giving Tuesday, known locally as "Un Día Para Dar", is celebrated with a variety of activities aimed at promoting generosity and community involvement. The use of the hashtag #GivingTuesdayES helps to unify these efforts and amplify the message across the country.
The event tends to emphasise community gatherings and public celebrations, in keeping with Spanish traditions of neighbourhood and family involvement. Spanish communities care about organising local events such as charity markets, cultural performances and neighbourhood gatherings that emphasise collective experiences. Schools in Spain are known for involving children in giving activities, such as organising drives to collect food or clothes for the needy, thus emphasising the value of generosity from an early age.
Giving Tuesday in Portugal
A distinctive feature of celebrating Giving Tuesday in Portugal, where it is known as 'Um Dia Para Doar', is the focus on supporting local causes and organisations, fostering a sense of community and solidarity. The use of the hashtag #GivingTuesdayPT helps to unify these efforts.
Unlike some countries where corporate partnerships play an important role, Portugal's Giving Tuesday places a greater emphasis on grassroots participation. Local communities and smaller organisations often lead the initiatives, hosting events such as charity markets, community gatherings and volunteer activities.
In summary, Giving Tuesday is a global movement that encourages people to give back and provides a meaningful contrast to the consumerism of Black Friday and Cyber Monday. Since its start in 2012, it has inspired acts of kindness through donations, volunteering and community support. Across Europe, each country has developed its own way of celebrating, but the unifying power of generosity remains unchanged.
Join forces with people across Europe with 4fund.com! Celebrate Giving Tuesday with good people across the continent by fundraising and donating. Let the good spread across borders!
