Nonprofit Organizations in Linn County Join the Global #GivingTuesday Movement
#GivingTuesday: November 29, 2016
Nonprofit organizations in Linn County are collaborating for #GivingTuesday, a global day of giving that harnesses the collective power of individuals, communities and organizations to encourage philanthropy and to celebrate generosity worldwide.
Occurring this year on November 29, #GivingTuesday is held annually on the Tuesday after Thanksgiving and the widely recognized shopping events Black Friday and Cyber Monday. #GivingTuesday provides a kick-off to the holiday giving season to give back to the charities and causes community members support.
Nonprofit organizations in Linn County are collaborating to create awareness and inspire residents to support local organizations that improve our communities. “Our goal is to raise awareness and support of local nonprofits accepting donations on #GivingTuesday,” says Carrie Walker, Coordinator, Nonprofit Network, a program of the Greater Cedar Rapids Community Foundation. “We want to impact people in our communities by encouraging participation on that day through a monetary contribution, a donation of food or supplies, or volunteering.”
To participate in #GivingTuesday, community members and businesses are asked to contact a local nonprofit they are passionate about and find out how they can participate. Or, simply go to the nonprofit website and give online or mail a check to help the meet program needs. On social media, Linn County residents are encouraged to share their participation by using the hashtag, #GiveWhereYourHeartIs, to help spread the word about #GivingTuesday. A link to a Linn County #GivingTuesday graphic can be found here.
#GivingTuesday was established in 2012 by 92Y, a cultural center in New York City that has been bringing people together around its core values of community service and giving back. The day was conceptualized as a new way of linking individuals and causes to strengthen communities and encourage giving. In 2015, the fourth year of the movement, #GivingTuesday brought together over 45,000 partners in 71 countries and helped raise nearly $117 million online in the US alone.
“We have been incredibly inspired by the generosity in time, efforts and ideas that have brought our concept for a worldwide movement into reality,” said Henry Timms, founder of #GivingTuesday and executive director of 92Y. “As we embark on our fifth year of #GivingTuesday, we are encouraged by the early response from partners eager to continue making an impact in this global conversation.”
To learn more about Linn County #GivingTuesday activities or to join the celebration of giving, please visit: https://www.gcrcf.org/event/givingtuesday/.
For more details about the #GivingTuesday global movement, visit the #GivingTuesday website (www.givingtuesday.org), Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/GivingTuesday) or follow @GivingTues and the #GivingTuesday hashtag on social media.