An exciting charity opportunity is fast approaching! Maybe you've heard of it? It's called "Giving Tuesday", and it represents a unique chance for churches to help their members redirect their focus on what's important during the holiday season.

For churches, this day presents a unique opportunity to connect with congregants, inspire giving, and make a meaningful impact. What better way to wrap up one year and ring in a new one?

Read on to learn about Giving Tuesday, why your church should participate, and some effective Giving Tuesday campaigns!

What is Giving Tuesday?

Giving Tuesday serves as a counterpoint to consumer-focused events like Black Friday and Cyber Monday, emphasizing the importance of giving back to communities and making a positive impact on a global scale.

The really cool thing about Giving Tuesday is that it's not just a one-day event. The movement has grown to motivate people to donate not only on that day but every Tuesday. This means that organizations get more than just a one-time boost in support, but a continued commitment throughout the year. Churches can hold special campaigns to harness the heightened spirit of generosity.

I like to think of Giving Tuesday in the same way I think of Valentine's Day. As you already know, Valentine's Day is an opportunity to do something really special for the person you love. At its best, Valentine's Day inspires us to show our loved ones that we cherish them all the other days of the year too. The one-day event is meant to spur us toward deeper habits of love and affection.

The History of Giving Tuesday

Giving Tuesday, established in 2012, is an annual global day of charitable giving that occurs on the Tuesday following Thanksgiving. It was initiated by the 92nd Street Y in collaboration with the United Nations Foundation as a response to the commercialization of the holiday season. This day encourages people worldwide to engage in philanthropy, donate to charitable causes, and volunteer their time.

What began as an effort to combat the tidal wave of consumerism that sweeps the holiday season and helps put generosity back into the center of the holidays has grown into a global movement, spurring millions of people toward greater commitment to their favorite charitable organizations. Your church or nonprofit organization can ride the tidal wave of generosity this year!

When is Giving Tuesday?

Giving Tuesday is the first Tuesday after Thanksgiving Giving Tuesday 2023 will be Nov 28, 2023

So mark your calendar! This is a great day for churches and nonprofits to put charity and giving back at the center of the busyness of the holidays.

Is Giving Tuesday Successful?

In a word: YES!

Donors gave a total of $3.1 billion-with-a-b in 2022. That's a pretty successful day of fundraising!

Donors gave more than money - they also gave clothing, canned goods, and their time. Every church or ministry can use this day to inspire people to support their mission and vision for the community.

Why Should Churches Participate in Giving Tuesday?

The $3.1 billion raised last year is a testament to how popular Giving Tuesday is. Many of your congregants are already familiar with this opportunity, especially if they are connected with other charities or nonprofits. So it makes sense to use the day to encourage supporting your church's mission.

Also, because it comes on the heels of Thanksgiving, thankfulness and gratitude are already on everyone's minds.

But What about Sunday?

Now, I know what you're probably thinking...

"Most donations come to my church on Sundays. I don't think focusing on Tuesdays would make sense for my ministry."

While some of your members might give at the very beginning or end of the month (or at other regularly scheduled days of the month), many churchgoers give when they are physically present during Sunday service.

You don't need to try to overhaul the way you receive funding in order to participate in this event. While other non-profits are able to extend the focus on Tuesday through the entire year, your church doesn't have to do that. Remember, the main point of this holiday is to inspire folks to give regularly. The exact day of the week is secondary to fostering a spirit of charity.

Giving Tuesday Fundraising Ideas for Churches

The best way for churches to participate in Giving Tuesday is to guide your members on a look back over the past year at all the tangible things God has done through your church, all the people you have helped, and the ministries you have supported. As you look out to the new year, show your members all of this is possible only through God’s grace and their faithfulness in support.

Giving Tuesday Ideas for Churches

Emphasize all the important work your church has done recently. Examples would be:

• The poor and homeless in your community have been fed thanks to the food pantry you donate to
• The missionaries you support have the funds they need to reach the lost
• The number of children that made a decision for the Lord during VBS this year
• The local pregnancy centers that have the resources to care for new mothers and their children

Whatever your church has done, it was all possible thanks to the generous support of your obedient members who consistently gave. Giving Tuesday can be an opportunity to showcase all God has accomplished through your church and what God can continue to do with continued support.

When Should You Promote Giving Tuesday?

As soon as possible!

Giving your members as much time as possible to consider how they will give will go a long way toward making the day more successful. It's especially helpful if you create a campaign with a specific fundraising goal in mind.

Start a Giving Tuesday charity campaign at your church to promote the special day.

Effective Giving Tuesday Campaign Ideas for Churches

Below are some ideas you can use at your church to start a fundraiser campaign:

1. "Gifts of Hope" - Encourage congregants to give with a focus on providing hope to those in need. Highlight specific projects or initiatives that the church will undertake with the funds, such as supporting a local shelter, providing meals for the homeless, or funding educational programs. Use compelling stories and visuals to showcase the impact of donations, emphasizing the hope and positive change that contributions can bring to the community.
2. "Multiply Your Impact" - Partner with a generous donor or local business to create a matching campaign. For every dollar donated on Giving Tuesday, the donor or business commits to matching it, effectively doubling the impact of each contribution. Promote the matching aspect heavily in marketing materials and social media to motivate people to donate, knowing their contributions will have an even greater effect.
3. "24-Hour Giving Challenge" -  Create a sense of urgency and excitement by turning Giving Tuesday into a 24-hour giving challenge. Encourage the community to come together and reach a specific fundraising goal within the designated time frame. Use countdowns and regular updates on social media to keep the momentum going throughout the day. Consider live streams, virtual events, or in-person gatherings to engage participants and celebrate milestones.
4. "Share Your Blessings" - Invite congregants to share stories about what they are grateful for and why they feel blessed. Encourage them to accompany their stories with a donation to the church, emphasizing the idea of sharing one's blessings with others.

Pairing these campaigns with the most affordable online giving platform for churches will make your Giving Tuesday campaigns so simple. Learn more about the best online giving platform by watching this video!

Join the Global Day of Giving

All of us at ChurchTrac are excited about what Giving Tuesday could mean for the future of churches around the world. If you are a ChurchTrac user, head over to our Facebook Users Group to join a global community of churches. Share what your church is doing for Giving Tuesday and be inspired by what God is doing all around the world!

Our hope is that this Giving Tuesday helps develop a sense of urgency and responsibility among your people to become even more devoted to the mission of your ministry.