Every year, on the Tuesday after Thanksgiving, people take the time to kick off the holiday season by giving back to their community, whether it is donating money to a charitable cause or volunteering. Giving Tuesday is a day set to benefit all communities.
History of Giving Tuesday: Founded in 2012 by New York’s 92nd Street Y in partnership with the United Nations Foundation, Giving Tuesday was created as a simple idea: a day that encourages people to do good. It has since grown into a year-round global movement that inspires hundreds of millions of people to give, collaborate, and celebrate generosity.
Giving Tuesday will be held on Nov. 30 this year. Help unleash the power of radical generosity by participating in some of the following local Giving Tuesday events and opportunities happening in the Detroit area.
- Wayne State University and Share Detroit have partnered to expand community volunteer, engagement opportunities. Share Detroit is looking to connect Detroiters with local nonprofit organizations, volunteer opportunities, and financial support opportunities. Volunteer opportunities curated by Share Detroit appear on Wayne State’s new Volunteer Hub – a one-stop-shop to explore both ongoing and one-time engagement and service opportunities.
- Celebrate Giving Zoo Day with a donation to the Detroit Zoological Society. Your gift will help to support animals like grizzly cub Jebbie and polar bear cub Laerke, who live together in the Arctic Ring of Life. Read their inspiring story and make your best gift.
- Help local families secure homes through Habitat Detroit. When you donate to Habitat Detroit this Giving Tuesday, you are giving someone the opportunity to celebrate all of the ‘firsts’ that come with owning their first home. Help change a family’s future with a donation or signing up to become a volunteer here.
- Donate to Connect Detroit in support of programs like Grow Detroit’s Young Talent (GDYT). Connect Detroit is asking individuals to donate to its organization this Giving Tuesday. Founded in 2001 by local foundation and civic leaders, the nonprofit mobilizes much-needed funding to empower Detroit-area nonprofit organizations and governments to collaborate on reaching common goals and solving issues for the greater good of local communities. Donate to Connect Detroit here.
- Ann Arbor Summer Festival to host a free, virtual concert. Musician Gwenyth Hayes, known for her interpretations of popular soul, jazz, soft rock, and blues music, will perform the concert from the Leon Loft. Viewers can stream her performance via social media. Find the Facebook event here. AASF has a goal to raise $25,000 for its operations and future Top of the Park plans. Donations can be shared at https://a2sf.org/donate/.
- Gleaners Community Food Bank of Southeastern Michigan is providing families with hunger-free solutions this holiday season and beyond. The well-known nonprofit has several events and food drives that you can get involved in as a volunteer for this Giving Tuesday and beyond. You can learn more and donate here.
Written by Alicia McLendon, Detroit Regional Chamber
