Be the Change: A Guide To GivingTuesday 2023

GivingTuesday is a generosity-driven occasion. In 2022, 20 million donors from the United States raised $3.1 billion because of it. The idea behind it is simple yet meaningful: to perform acts of kindness. 

Since it was first celebrated in 2012, word has spread, turning it into a global movement that inspires hundreds of millions to give, work together, and celebrate generosity. This year, GivingTuesday falls on November 28, and the Islamic Medical Association of North America (IMANA) is excited to be part of it.

As an organization that advocates worldwide accessibility to medical care, we have been supporting and commemorating the spirit behind GivingTuesday through our medical relief efforts and by spreading awareness about the event.

How GivingTuesday Began

The GivingTuesday movement seems relatively new, but it has been around for more than a decade. It started in 2012 as a collaboration between 92nd Street Y in New York and the United Nations Foundation. Simply put, it’s “a day that encourages people to do good.” 

As of July 2019, GivingTuesday became an organization with Asha Curran as its CEO. GivingTuesday has since grown into a global movement. The tag #GivingTuesday was used over 145,000 times when it launched and the movement is stronger than ever.

GivingTuesday Highlights the Work of Nonprofits

The occasion is an opportunity for nonprofits to highlight the work that they’re doing, ask for donations, and grow their network of supporters. Currently, there are only a few opportunities to do this, especially among organizations with limited resources. 

GivingTuesday fills that gap by creating a global event that is centered on philanthropy.

What Is GivingTuesday About?

GivingTuesday is designed to promote altruism. Held after Thanksgiving, the idea was to offset the prevailing consumerism of Black Friday, Small Business Saturday, and Cyber Monday by reminding people that the holiday season is a time for giving.

The world has since embraced the idea of doing something meaningful and taking action for their communities. In return, donors can reduce their taxable income with records of charitable donations. 

When Is GivingTuesday 2023?

GivingTuesday falls on the Tuesday after Thanksgiving. Since Thanksgiving will be celebrated on November 23 and GivingTuesday is annually held on the Tuesday after it, GivingTuesday 2023 will happen on November 28, 2023.

Which Countries Participate in GivingTuesday?

More than 85 countries around the world participate in GivingTuesday. Each year, this number continues to grow. 

In 2022, seven countries officially joined the movement. A network of changemakers from Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, Cyprus, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Eswatini, North Macedonia, and Zimbabwe came together to promote giving. 

You can view the full list of countries by visiting this link.

How Can You Contribute To GivingTuesday?

Looking to participate in the annual GivingTuesday celebration? There are plenty of ways to do so.

Donate

Give what you can to a cause that’s near and dear to your heart. You can connect with a non-profit organization or give money directly to the poor people in your community. 

If you’d like to make a donation on a more international scale, IMANA accepts donations for various needs in Gaza, India, Afghanistan, and other countries. We also have a climate fund that is helping address the climate crisis. You can give a one-time or recurring donation.

Donate on Behalf of Someone Else

Donate on behalf of a friend or loved one. It’s a meaningful way to commemorate the event and spread awareness about GivingTuesday. Think of their convictions, interests, and hobbies—you’ll surely find an organization that accepts financial support across many industries and advocacies.

Host a Fundraiser

Pick a campaign that gets you fired up. Raise money and awareness for the cause. Put it on social media to generate buzz, encouraging an even wider audience to get involved.

GivingTuesday’s US website provides a step-by-step guide for introducing it to your community.

Perform Random Acts of Kindness

Money isn’t the only way you can help. Sometimes, the most meaningful gifts are done on the spur of the moment when you see someone in need. Share your lunch with someone who doesn’t have any. Read to an elderly person. Offer to help someone with their grocery bags. 

You can also perform random acts of kindness at home. Do chores to help your parents. Give your sister an encouraging phone call. Listen to a relative who is distressed. 

When we respond with compassion to those around us, we become better, kinder people while encouraging others to do the same.

Volunteer

Time is one of the most valuable gifts we can give. Consider your skills, interests, and how much time you can offer. Find appropriate nonprofits where you can make a difference. It can be as simple as helping at a food pantry or building shelters for homeless people. 

Medical professionals can also use their skills by volunteering in one of IMANA’s volunteer programs. We currently have open slots for our medical relief programs in Pakistan, Syria, Yemen, and Palestine. In the near future, we will also offer opportunities in Puerto Rico.

 

Make the World Better With IMANA

IMANA is a faith-based, non-profit organization dedicated to changing the lives of those in need all over the globe. As such, we fully embrace the principles upon which GivingTuesday was founded. 

Our medical relief programs, grants, scholarships, and various advocacies encourage American-Muslim medical professionals and the communities they’re part of to give and be kind to one another—not just on GivingTuesday but throughout the year.