Giving Tuesday started as a simple idea: a day that encourages people to do good. Since 2012, Giving Tuesday has grown into a global movement that inspires hundreds of millions of individuals to give, help, and share—all in the name of building a kind and just world.
Acts of generosity, kindness, and humanity occur throughout our community year-round. As we celebrate Giving Tuesday on Tuesday, November 28, we hope to inspire your own giving journey by sharing 4 ways you can help make a difference:
Support Your Favorite Causes with a Financial Donation
Central Ohio is full of innovative, impactful, and inspiring nonprofits that are improving the quality of life in our community. Whether you’re passionate about the arts, education, conservation, youth services, support for seniors, social justice, housing, animal welfare, or healthcare, chances are there’s at least one nonprofit in our region that is doing vital work on the causes you care about the most.
This Giving Tuesday, consider making a donation to your favorite organizations through The Giving Store, The Columbus Foundation’s one-stop shop for convenient online charitable giving. On Tuesday, November 28, The Columbus Foundation will cover all fees for gifts made by credit card in The Giving Store, so 100% of your donation will go to the nonprofits you support.
Spread Kindness by Supporting the Gifts of Kindness Fund
Established in 2014, the Gifts of Kindness Fund at The Columbus Foundation provides one-time grants to help individuals and families in our region address a sudden financial hardship caused by an unforeseen event. Working in partnership with dozens of central Ohio nonprofits, the fund offers critical, timely support to help people weather the unexpected, ensuring that one setback doesn’t spiral into prolonged instability.
This Giving Tuesday, you can double your impact when you donate to the Gifts of Kindness Fund. All donations made to the Gifts of Kindness Fund will be matched dollar-for-dollar.
Involve the Entire Family in Philanthropy
You’re never too young to be a philanthropist! This Giving Tuesday, consider encouraging the young people in your life to engage in acts of kindness, gratitude, and generosity. The Columbus Foundation recently partnered with Seeds of Caring, a nonprofit that empowers the next generation of change-makers, to develop a Family Guide to Philanthropy. The guide includes fun, easy-to-follow activities to help kids and their families create a shared vision for the role they want to play in creating a kinder community.
Give the Gift of Your Time
Another way to support the causes that are most important to you is by volunteering your time, skills, or expertise. Many nonprofits rely on the support of dedicated volunteers to achieve their missions and serve the community. You can make a difference this Giving Tuesday (or any day!) by signing up to volunteer. If you’re not sure where to start your search, organizations like Besa offer numerous opportunities to get involved with local nonprofits as a volunteer.
We all have a role to play in creating a stronger, kinder, more connected community—today and every day. Your generosity this Giving Tuesday can help strengthen and improve our community so that, together, we can solve our most pressing challenges and build upon our greatest opportunities.