What is #GivingTuesday?

You’ve heard the name #GivingTuesday and you know it is supposed to be a good thing, but what on earth is all the hoopla about and who created this day?  Well, let me give you a hand and break this down like an elementary school book report.

#GivingTuesday is the brainchild of  92nd Street Y—a cultural center in New York City that, since 1874, has been bringing people together around the values of service and giving back.  They thought that nothing would exemplify the holiday spirit more than a day dedicated to giving back. It was inspired by the Jewish term tikkun olam which means ‘repairing the world’. With the seed planted they contacted their friends at the United Nations Foundation, et voila – a movement is born.

Since that first philanthropic spark #GivingTuesday has become an annual celebration of giving that unites tens of thousands of organizations around the world.  #GivingTuesday harnesses the potential of social media to galvanize change within communities.  It also offers the opportunity for nonprofits, individuals, businesses and schools to come together as partners in support of their communities.

Everywhere.  #GivingTuesday is global, and on December 1st you can find an organization to support on GivingTuesday.GiveGab.com.  When you participate in #GivingTuesday you not only show your community, but the world that you care.

To give back!!  We all have resources we can share.  It could be talent, time or money.  Together we all have the power to make the world a better and beautiful place.

Now, what are you going to do?