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What is ‘Giving Tuesday’? Origin, history and importance

After the consumerism of Black Friday and Cyber Monday, Giving Tuesday is a counterpoint celebration that encourages people to show kindness and generosity.

After the consumerism of Black Friday and Cyber Monday, Giving Tuesday is a counterpoint celebration that encourages people to show kindness and generosity.
JOSE LUIS GONZALEZREUTERS

After Thanksgiving, millions troop to the stores to go shopping on Black Friday, then continue making purchases online on Cyber Monday. As a counterpoint to these consumerist holidays, Giving Tuesday began as a way to promote kindness and generosity.

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What is ‘Giving Tuesday’? Origin, history and importance

Giving Tuesday is a global day of charitable giving that takes place on the Tuesday following the Thanksgiving holiday, although advocates of the event also promote generous acts on any Tuesday of the year.

Giving Tuesday is designed to shift the focus from consumerism to generosity. The day encourages people around the world to engage in acts of kindness, generosity, and philanthropy by supporting charitable organizations.

The concept of Giving Tuesday was first introduced in 2012 by the 92nd Street Y, a cultural and community center in New York City, in partnership with the United Nations Foundation. It aimed to start a movement that would utilize social media and technology to promote charitable giving.

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Worldwide movement for generosity and kindness

Since then, it has grown into a global movement, encompassing various forms of giving, including monetary donations to nonprofits and volunteering time and skills. Participants can choose to support a wide range of causes, from education and healthcare to environmental conservation and social justice.

Many businesses, corporations, and institutions actively participate in Giving Tuesday by making donations, launching fundraising campaigns, or encouraging their employees to get involved in charitable activities.

Social media plays a significant role in the celebration. The hashtag #GivingTuesday is widely used to share stories of giving, promote charitable causes, and encourage others to participate. Nonprofit organizations often leverage social media platforms to raise awareness and funds.