So, What is Giving Tuesday?

Created in 2012, Giving Tuesday was invented to simply encourage people to do good. Since 2012, the movement has grown into a year-round global movement that inspires millions of people to celebrate giving and generosity.

On Giving Tuesday donors, contributors, volunteers and nonprofit organizations take advantage of the movement and make a major push for the cause. While individuals are looking for opportunities, nonprofits try new creative ways to engage their audience and get them involved. However, Giving Tuesday isn’t just about this day. Giving Tuesday is an opportunity for nonprofits to capture new audiences and life-time contributors.

Giving Tuesday is nested right in the heart of the giving season, this year on December 1st, and it acts as the final push of the year for nonprofits. The movement provides organizations an opportunity to connect with new and recurring contributors and can be a pivotal turning point for an organization, especially this year during the pandemic when many fundraising events have been canceled or turned virtual.

How Can YOU Help?

Whether it be through donating or volunteering your time, find a way to give back on this #GivingTuesday.

On this Giving Tuesday, you can contribute financially, or through signing up to volunteer through the Swoovy app. Swoovy has a daily calendar of volunteer opportunities from over 100 nonprofit organizations in Austin. Just one hour of volunteering is worth $27.20 to a nonprofit. While COVID-19 has changed the climate of the volunteering world, the need for help has not gone away and Swoovy and nonprofit organizations are adapting, now offering at home and virtual volunteering opportunities . In person events listed practice social distancing and masks are required.

want to donate? Here are A Few Local Austin Nonprofits to consider.

The Make-A-Wish Foundation is a nonprofit organization founded in the Untied States that helps fulfill the wishes of children with a critical illness between the ages of 2 1/2 and 18 years old.

Jeremiah Program offers one of the nation’s most successful strategies for transforming families from poverty to prosperity two generations at a time.

Jeremiah prepares determined single mothers to excel in the workforce, readies their children to succeed in school, and reduces generational dependence on public assistance.

The mission of Art From the Streets is to provide a safe and encouraging environment in which the positive spirit and creativity for those experiencing homelessness are nurtured through their own artistic expression.

Fighting hunger, sometimes with bugs! Originally focused on kids’ education around insects as alternative livestock; since the pandemic our sole goal is to help feed our community members in need.

Good Work Austin has prepared over 300k meals since the beginning of pandemic to #keepaustinfed and created protocols so guests can #dinewithconfidence.

For 20 years, CST has provided free individual and group counseling, basic needs assistance, and essential referrals to refugees and immigrant trauma survivors in Texas. In the last 7 months, we have been able to deliver over 8,500 ready-made meals, more than 175 remote grocery orders, and winter clothing & essentials directly to survivors' doorsteps. With the help of CST's wraparound services, survivors are finding opportunities to heal, grow and thrive during these uncertain times.

Austin Youth River Watch transforms and inspires youth through environmental education, community engagement, and adventure!

Drive a Senior provides free essential food access to homebound isolated seniors in Central Texas. They have a food pantry delivery program, a grocery shopping program, and help teach seniors how to order groceries for themselves.

Swoovy holiday Spotlight: Make-A-Wish!

Download Swoovy for Free To View Daily Volunteer Opportunities, Including At-Home and Virtual Volunteering.

Swoovy Connections Are Available For Singles to Connect, Couples to Create a Joint Account, And for Groups Looking to Volunteer Together.