Local nonprofit organizations join #GivingTuesday movement to encourage spending with a purpose

Grand Valley State University’s Dorothy A. Johnson Center for Philanthropy, the Land Conservancy of West Michigan and the South End Community Outreach Ministries are working together to support community participation in the #GivingTuesday movement, which encourages giving back to local community nonprofit organizations during the holiday shopping season, specifically on November 27.

#GivingTuesday is the nonprofit community’s answer to ‘Black Friday’ and ‘Cyber Monday’ in the retail world, and encourages communities to show support for their local nonprofit organizations. #GivingTuesday is already generating a conversation in social media about the importance of giving during the holiday season, and inspiring businesses, families and individuals to donate, volunteer and give back.

More than 1,000 nonprofit organizations across all 50 states are taking part in the movement. The Johnson Center is a founding partner of #GivingTuesday and is encouraging the Grand Valley State University community to contribute to the giving season. 

The Land Conservancy will be launching a $45,000 matching gift challenge that will run through the holiday season. All gifts to the organization during that time will be matched dollar for dollar if they are a new membership gift, a renewal of a lapsed membership, an increase from last year’s gift, or over $500. The matching gift funds were made possible by the J.A. Woollam Foundation and several anonymous donors. 

South End Community Outreach Ministries is using #GivingTuesday to support Pride for Parents, a program that promotes empowerment through volunteerism. For every 10 hours volunteered, parents are able to choose $75 in Christmas presents per child. Funds raised will help support the program and additional support services. 

#GivingTuesday is a nationwide movement to celebrate and provide incentives to give, culminating with a national day of giving on November 27. This first-of-its-kind effort harnesses the collective power of a unique blend of partners — charities, families, businesses, and individuals — to transform how people think about, talk about and participate in the giving season.