The concept behind GivingTuesday could not be simpler: encourage people to give. Initiated in 2012 by leaders at the nonprofit 92NY in New York City, the idea was to inspire philanthropic giving to charities that needed it to counteract spending on Black Friday and Cyber Monday.
Ten years later, GivingTuesday — now also an independent nonprofit — has spread around the world, motivating millions of people to give, collaborate, and celebrate generosity.
This year, in addition to supporting the GivingTuesday efforts across the sector, we are asking for your support of our organization. Independent Sector (IS) is a national membership organization that brings together a diverse community of changemakers, nonprofits, foundations, and corporations to strengthen civil society. As the vital meeting ground, we foster a sense of belonging, catalyze action, and provide policy leadership across the full breadth of the charitable sector.
Our hundreds of members – large and small – represent every kind of charitable endeavor – and their efforts to strengthen communities are woven throughout the fabric that makes our country strong.
Donating to any nonprofit that you feel passionate about – whether their focus is racial equity, climate change, ending hunger, or some other cause – helps sustain those organizations and their ability to make a significant impact in the lives of those they serve. Your gifts today will help them build a healthy and racially just future for all of us. You can give with confidence to IS, because we have the platinum seal of transparency by Candid and are rated four-star by Charity Navigator.
Your donation to Independent Sector helps us support the entire charitable community in their vital work. You might know us best for our public policy work. Working in collaboration with our members and partners across the sector, we advocate for public policies that encourage charitable giving, strengthen the health and equity of charitable organizations, and give voice to all nonprofits – no matter their budget size or mission – at the federal level.
We also work closely with leaders across the sector to give them both the tools and the platform they need to amplify their impact and strengthen their ability to build bridges and community across lived experiences and missions. We know that by building a greater sense of community among these changemakers in our programs like Upswell and our fellowships, leaders have unstoppable potential, in how they can come together to solve our nation’s greatest challenges. This work is only possible because of the generous support of our members and funders and we are asking you, this Giving Tuesday, to join others in supporting it.
On GivingTuesday, November 29, give to Independent Sector and help us build a better future for all of us.
Debra Rainey is communications manager at Independent Sector.
