Giving Tuesday is TODAY-Time to Fill that coffee cup

Sharon Kitroser
22 hours ago
3 min read

Today is #GivingTuesday — the global day of generosity that reminds us what community truly means. Around the world, people are coming together to lift up the causes, organizations, and missions that make life brighter for others.

It’s more than a hashtag. It’s a movement — a moment that transforms compassion into action.

A Quick Look Back

#GivingTuesday began in 2012 when Henry Timms at the 92nd Street Y in New York wanted to create a counterbalance to the consumer frenzy of Black Friday and Cyber Monday. His simple idea — a day to give, not to get — sparked a worldwide tradition of generosity.

For Development Professionals — Take a Breath

If you’re leading fundraising or communications today, you’ve likely been preparing for weeks. Your emails are scheduled, your social posts are live, and (fingers crossed) your donation links are working beautifully.

So, take a deep breath. Maybe some deep breathing and a cup of tea.

But tomorrow… it’s go time.

That’s right — you’ve officially entered the heart Year-End Giving Season!

Step One: Say “Thank You” (and Mean It)

The most important thing you can do after #GivingTuesday? Express gratitude.

Thank your business partners publicly on social media. Tag them, celebrate them, and show your appreciation.
Thank your donors through heartfelt posts and emails. Let them see how their generosity fuels your mission. (Bonus: short thank-you videos perform especially well!)
Thank your major supporters personally. A quick call or handwritten note goes a long way. If you leave a voicemail, make it genuine — not just a script.
Engage your team, board, and volunteers to join the thank-you effort. Everyone can play a role in appreciation.

Step Two: Capture What Worked

Once you’ve thanked everyone, take time to document what you learned.

Record the details while they’re fresh:

What strategies or posts got the most engagement?
When did you start communicating about #GivingTuesday?
What times of day did you see the most donations?
How did your board or volunteers contribute?

---If your plan worked, great — repeat it next year!

---If not, these notes will be gold when you sit down to plan for 2026.

And of course, add every new donor to your CRM or donor spreadsheet right away.

Step Three: Dive Into Year-End Giving

Refill your coffee (venti size recommended ☕️) and get ready — because this is it.

If you haven’t already built your year-end giving plan, stop everything else and do that now.

Here’s why:

30% of annual giving happens in December.
10% of annual giving happens in the last three days of the year.

(If you have not already)

Start by Reviewing Last Year

Ask yourself:

Did we meet our fundraising goal?
Who were our biggest supporters?
What channels brought in the most engagement and donations?
What worked — and what didn’t?

Use those insights to shape your 2025 plan. Set a slightly higher goal, refine your message, and focus on areas that have room to grow.

(If you have not already)

Craft a Compelling Case for Support

Your donors need to know why their gift matters right now. Build your case around:

Real stories of impact and transformation
Clear outcomes — what their donations will achieve
Emotional connection — faces, voices, and human stories

And don’t forget your call to action: make it simple, strong, and easy to find. Include multiple ways (and links!) to donate.

Stay Consistent — Your Brand Matters

Your year-end campaign should look and sound like you.Use consistent logos, fonts, and tone across all emails, social posts, and landing pages. A unified brand builds trust — and trust inspires giving.

Touchpoints Matter

Most nonprofits connect with supporters at least twice during the year-end season — often through a mix of email, social media, and digital ads.Consistency keeps your mission top of mind when donors are deciding where to give.

And Finally… Celebrate!

When January arrives: