Giving Locally on #GivingTuesday

The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven has joined #GivingTuesday, a global day of giving that harnesses the collective power of individuals, communities, and organizations to encourage philanthropy and to celebrate generosity worldwide.

During this #GivingTuesday, The Foundation is encouraging our community to give locally. With nearly 400 profiles on giveGreater.org there are a variety of nonprofits to choose from spanning across The Foundation's eight-issue areas, which include: arts & culture, basic needs, civic vitality, economic success, education, the environment, health & wellness, and children & youth.

"During this holiday season, we give meaningful gifts to those about which we care," says Jackie Downing, Director of Grantmaking and Nonprofit Effectiveness. "#GivingTuesday is a day to remember how much value the nonprofits in our community have added to our lives – whether we've turned to them in a time of need for food, shelter, counseling, or health care, sent our kids to an after-school or camp program, enjoyed a performance or exhibit, or adopted a shelter pet. Your gift today will help the organization you care about to continue to provide services to you, your friends, and your neighbors. Pick your passion, and give today."

Occurring this year on November 28, #GivingTuesday is held annually on the Tuesday after Thanksgiving and the widely recognized shopping events Black Friday and Cyber Monday to kick off the holiday giving season and inspire people to collaborate in improving their local communities and to give back in impactful ways to the charities and causes they support.

92Y − a cultural center in New York City that, since 1874, has been bringing people together around its core values of community service and giving back − conceptualized #GivingTuesday as a new way of linking individuals and causes to strengthen communities and encourage giving. In 2016, the fifth year of #GivingTuesday, millions of people in 98 countries came together to give back and support the causes they believe in. Over $177 million was raised online to benefit a tremendously broad range of organizations, and much more was given in volunteer hours, donations of food and clothing, and acts of kindness.

"We have been incredibly inspired by the generosity in time, efforts, and ideas that have brought our concept for a worldwide movement into reality," says Henry Timms, founder of #GivingTuesday and executive director of 92Y. "As we embark on our sixth year of #GivingTuesday, we are encouraged by the early response from partners eager to continue making an impact in this global conversation."

Tune in on #GivingTuesday at noon to WTNH's CT Style to hear from The Foundation live, as we talk about #GivingTuesday, giving locally, and giveGreater.org. Learn more about Greater New Haven's nonprofits and how you can help support them on #GivingTuesday.

Did you know?

Ninety - six percent of last year's #GivingTuesday participants plan on participating again in 2017.

This story is part of the Inspiration Monday story series produced by The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven.