How to Help Others on #GivingTuesday
A global day of giving on Nov. 29 encourages people to volunteer their time, money and talents to make a difference
After the two days of post-Thanksgiving shopping known as Black Friday and Cyber Monday, people around the world will come together for #GivingTuesday on Nov. 29. This global day of giving is designed to use the power of social media to support, encourage and celebrate all kinds of giving.
Here’s a look at how #GivingTuesday works and how it helps four organizations raise support for their home projects.
Here’s a look at how #GivingTuesday works and how it helps four organizations raise support for their home projects.
1. Causeway Gives People the Tools to Reshape Their Community
The Chattanooga, Tennessee, nonprofit Causeway connects people to resources for addressing community challenges, such as environmental concerns and public education. Community members then develop solutions, such as updating a park, starting a neighborhood composting system, or hosting a book drive. It connected with #GivingTuesday three years ago and has encouraged other local organizations to join the movement, says Chelsea Conrad, Causeway director of creative engagement.
“It’s a great opportunity to spread a simple message about what we do, which attracts new donors and volunteers,” she says.
Some of the organization’s best projects happen when a member of the community pairs up with an expert craftsperson, Conrad says. These skilled professionals bring a level of quality to a project that Causeway might not have access to otherwise.
“You’ve spent a lot of time honing those skills — put them to work for a good cause!” she says.
How you can help: Donate money to Causeway, or volunteer on a project in Chattanooga, Tennessee.
Whom to contact: Chelsea Conrad, director of creative engagement, at chelsea.c@causeway.org
The Chattanooga, Tennessee, nonprofit Causeway connects people to resources for addressing community challenges, such as environmental concerns and public education. Community members then develop solutions, such as updating a park, starting a neighborhood composting system, or hosting a book drive. It connected with #GivingTuesday three years ago and has encouraged other local organizations to join the movement, says Chelsea Conrad, Causeway director of creative engagement.
“It’s a great opportunity to spread a simple message about what we do, which attracts new donors and volunteers,” she says.
Some of the organization’s best projects happen when a member of the community pairs up with an expert craftsperson, Conrad says. These skilled professionals bring a level of quality to a project that Causeway might not have access to otherwise.
“You’ve spent a lot of time honing those skills — put them to work for a good cause!” she says.
How you can help: Donate money to Causeway, or volunteer on a project in Chattanooga, Tennessee.
Whom to contact: Chelsea Conrad, director of creative engagement, at chelsea.c@causeway.org
2. H.O.M.E. Connects Seniors to Help Around the House
H.O.M.E., or Housing Opportunities & Maintenance for the Elderly, is a Chicago nonprofit that helps low-income seniors maintain their independence. Its programs include home upkeep and repair, moving assistance, and home painting and weatherization.
The H.O.M.E. staff heard about #GivingTuesday through social media and joined the movement three years ago, says Bruce Otto, executive director. Every year, the organization makes a giving goal, and if it hits it, Otto pledges to do something silly. The organization has met the goal each year, and Otto has kept his promise, including sporting a wig. #GivingTuesday helps H.O.M.E. kick off the year-end giving sooner than it used to, he says. “It’s amped up our giving,” he says. “We also have attracted new donors.”
How you can help: Donate money, vehicles, assets, electronics or gift cards to H.O.M.E., or volunteer your time and talents to help seniors in need.
Whom to contact: Bruce Otto, executive director, at bruceo@homeseniors.org or (773) 921-3200
H.O.M.E., or Housing Opportunities & Maintenance for the Elderly, is a Chicago nonprofit that helps low-income seniors maintain their independence. Its programs include home upkeep and repair, moving assistance, and home painting and weatherization.
The H.O.M.E. staff heard about #GivingTuesday through social media and joined the movement three years ago, says Bruce Otto, executive director. Every year, the organization makes a giving goal, and if it hits it, Otto pledges to do something silly. The organization has met the goal each year, and Otto has kept his promise, including sporting a wig. #GivingTuesday helps H.O.M.E. kick off the year-end giving sooner than it used to, he says. “It’s amped up our giving,” he says. “We also have attracted new donors.”
How you can help: Donate money, vehicles, assets, electronics or gift cards to H.O.M.E., or volunteer your time and talents to help seniors in need.
Whom to contact: Bruce Otto, executive director, at bruceo@homeseniors.org or (773) 921-3200
3. Furnishing Hope Makes a House Feel Like Home for Veterans and Their Families
Furnishing Hope helps wounded veterans transition from hospital to civilian life by furnishing their homes. A volunteer team chooses home items based on the applicant’s preferences, and buys and assembles furnishings to create a comfortable, personalized home.
The organization is joining #GivingTuesday for the first year, and hopes to raise awareness about the organization through social media, says Beth Phillips, Furnishing Hope founder and executive director.
To make the home transformations happen, the organization relies on a volunteer staff, including volunteer interior designers. Among the skilled volunteers are two women who run a drapery business and install drapery on many of their projects. Phillips, also a professional designer, encourages other professionals in home-related industries to volunteer their skills.
“There is such a need out there,” she says. “Just take a look around where you are. There are a ton of home design and home building agencies that can use your skills.”
How you can help: Donate money, furniture or gift cards, or volunteer your time.
Whom to contact: Beth Phillips, founder and executive director, at (949) 644-9106
Furnishing Hope helps wounded veterans transition from hospital to civilian life by furnishing their homes. A volunteer team chooses home items based on the applicant’s preferences, and buys and assembles furnishings to create a comfortable, personalized home.
The organization is joining #GivingTuesday for the first year, and hopes to raise awareness about the organization through social media, says Beth Phillips, Furnishing Hope founder and executive director.
To make the home transformations happen, the organization relies on a volunteer staff, including volunteer interior designers. Among the skilled volunteers are two women who run a drapery business and install drapery on many of their projects. Phillips, also a professional designer, encourages other professionals in home-related industries to volunteer their skills.
“There is such a need out there,” she says. “Just take a look around where you are. There are a ton of home design and home building agencies that can use your skills.”
How you can help: Donate money, furniture or gift cards, or volunteer your time.
Whom to contact: Beth Phillips, founder and executive director, at (949) 644-9106
4. Habitat for Humanity Provides More Than a Roof Over People’s Heads
Habitat for Humanity is a nonprofit that helps homeowners build their own homes alongside volunteers and that assists with affordable mortgages. It operates in nearly 1,400 communities nationwide and 70 countries globally. In fiscal year 2016, the organization improved housing conditions for nearly 3 million people, according to its annual report released Nov. 15.
Habitat for Humanity Portland/Metro East has been involved with #GivingTuesday from the movement’s beginning in 2012. #GivingTuesday helps the organization connect with new supporters, says Melinda Musser, Habitat for Humanity Portland/Metro East director of communications. The program “is about giving back in whatever way is most meaningful for you,” she says.
With financial gifts, the organization can help build and repair homes, buy land, revitalize communities, and empower hardworking families, Musser says. On construction sites, Habitat for Humanity Portland/Metro East works with subcontractors who donate their time to paint, build fences, roof, side, and complete plumbing and electrical work.
“We encourage professionals to give back to their community to make the dream of homeownership a reality for hardworking families in need,” Musser says.
Nationwide, Habitat for Humanity offers volunteer opportunities for individuals and groups, with or without professional building experience, and encourages anyone to volunteer. All you need is a positive attitude and a willingness to help and learn.
How you can help: Donate money or volunteer with your local Habitat for Humanity.
More: Find organizations near you participating in #Giving Tuesday
Your turn: Do you use your time or money to help a home-related organization? Tell us about it in the Comments.
Habitat for Humanity is a nonprofit that helps homeowners build their own homes alongside volunteers and that assists with affordable mortgages. It operates in nearly 1,400 communities nationwide and 70 countries globally. In fiscal year 2016, the organization improved housing conditions for nearly 3 million people, according to its annual report released Nov. 15.
Habitat for Humanity Portland/Metro East has been involved with #GivingTuesday from the movement’s beginning in 2012. #GivingTuesday helps the organization connect with new supporters, says Melinda Musser, Habitat for Humanity Portland/Metro East director of communications. The program “is about giving back in whatever way is most meaningful for you,” she says.
With financial gifts, the organization can help build and repair homes, buy land, revitalize communities, and empower hardworking families, Musser says. On construction sites, Habitat for Humanity Portland/Metro East works with subcontractors who donate their time to paint, build fences, roof, side, and complete plumbing and electrical work.
“We encourage professionals to give back to their community to make the dream of homeownership a reality for hardworking families in need,” Musser says.
Nationwide, Habitat for Humanity offers volunteer opportunities for individuals and groups, with or without professional building experience, and encourages anyone to volunteer. All you need is a positive attitude and a willingness to help and learn.
How you can help: Donate money or volunteer with your local Habitat for Humanity.
More: Find organizations near you participating in #Giving Tuesday
Your turn: Do you use your time or money to help a home-related organization? Tell us about it in the Comments.
Since 2012, more than 40,000 organizations have joined the #GivingTuesday movement. In 2015, nonprofits raised more than $116 million online on #GivingTuesday. On the #GivingTuesday website, organizations can find resources for how to promote their cause on this day, and individuals can find ways to donate their time, money and goods.
“Everyone has something to give,” Greenfield says. “You can give time or expertise; monetary donations large or small; simple acts of kindness; food or clothing. Every act of generosity counts, and they mean even more when we give together.”
To find participating organizations near you, search the #GivingTuesday website by location and organization type.
Here’s how four local organizations use #GivingTuesday to grow the giving in their communities.