Organizations also appreciate time and talent donations
Nov. 30 marks the 10th anniversary of Giving Tuesday, after Black Friday, Small Business Saturday and Cyber Monday, when people are encouraged to give to nonprofit organizations in what is billed as a “worldwide celebration of generosity.”
Anyone can participate in GivingTuesday, no matter who or where they are. The organization that supports the movement and the annual day of celebration offers ideas and free toolkits for individuals, families, organizations, businesses, and more on its website, www.givingtuesday.org/resources.
“GivingTuesday inspires people all around the world to embrace their power to make an impact on the causes and issues they care about, not just on one day but throughout the year,” said Asha Curran, GivingTuesday’s CEO and co-founder of the movement. “With country and community leaders, millions of organizations, and countless givers of all kinds, GivingTuesday provides an opportunity to come together to create a more generous world.”
It’s a simple idea: whether it’s making someone smile, helping a neighbor or stranger out, showing up for an issue or people we care about, or giving some of what we have to those who need our help, every act of generosity counts, and everyone has something to give.
Give Blck, a donor platform that is working to advance racial equity in giving, is encouraging donors to #closethegap on Giving Tuesday by using their database to support Black-founded nonprofits. The listings on https://www.giveblck.org/ showcase the diversity of more than 500 Black nonprofit organizations nationwide.
The United Way of Greater Los Angeles, the Los Angeles Rams, local community and philanthropic organizations and businesses, and over 5,800 participants virtually and in-person raised close to $800,000 thanks in part to match fund sponsors at the inaugural WalkUnitedLA at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood earlier this month.
WalkUnitedLA brought communities together from across the region to help end homelessness, provide equitable and quality education to all students, and ensure greater economic mobility and increased access to opportunities for working families and individuals. Each year the United Way partners with nonprofit organizations serving L.A. County’s most vulnerable residents by investing in seeding systems change, strengthening capacity to serve and supporting aligned advocacy efforts.
”After the devastating months many in our community have faced with the pandemic, we know that these resources will make a difference, especially in the communities of color hit hardest by the pandemic.” said Elise Buik, President and CEO of United Way of Greater Los Angeles.
United Way is committed to partnering with local nonprofits—working united to end and prevent homelessness, achieve educational equity and ensure economic mobility for vulnerable neighbors. United Way of Greater Los Angeles has long served as the nonprofit of choice for the business community, as it supports a variety of local causes focusing on education, housing, and economic mobility—all to attack poverty at its roots in Los Angeles.
WalkUnitedLA’s participants brought in over 200 teams that competed for top spots with fundraising and numbers. SoCalGas came in first with over $100,000 raised and nearly 800 members. Close second was East West Bank raising over $34,000 with over 300 members followed by City National Bank, and JPL Voyagers. Strength Based Community Change (SBCC), Team Rams and United LA Union were in the top five for most team membership.
“Aligned with our vision to unite the community, it was fitting that the new home of the Los Angeles Rams could also serve as the new home for WalkUnitedLA and this tremendous example of what is possible when we come together,” said Los Angeles Rams Chief Operating Officer, Kevin Demoff. “As committed partners of United Way of Greater Los Angeles, the Rams stand with the WalkUnitedLA participants in the fight to end poverty and to expand opportunities for all.”
For its 2021 Giving Tuesday Campaign, the California Black Health Network is looking for support for “The Campaign for Black Health Equity,” a multi-year effort to mitigate the inequities that significantly impact the lives and well-being of Black Californians. For ideas and ways to give, visit https://www.cablackhealthnetwork.org/giving-tuesday/.
Blacks in California have the shortest life expectancy at birth compared to all other races/ethnicities. And, COVID-19 has only exacerbated this problem. Black Californians are three times more likely to contract COVID-19 than white residents and are nearly two times more likely to die from it. The California Black Health Network is working to create a California where every African-American and Black Immigrant has the opportunity to live long healthy lives, free from violence, racism, and health inequities. Its goal is to decrease health disparities for Black Californians by 25 percent by 2023.
Thousands of other campaigns and events promoting and inspiring generosity are being organized by individuals, nonprofits, small businesses, grassroots leaders, and brands around the world. The last annual GivingTuesday celebration, Dec. 1, 2020, generated $2.47 billion in giving, just in the United States and inspired millions of people worldwide to volunteer, perform countless acts of kindness, and donate their voices, time, money, and goods.
