Best ways to give back on #GivingTuesday

Now that Thanksgiving has come and gone, and we've all snapped up every deal we could find for Black Friday and Cyber Monday, it's time to think about giving back by helping out our favorite charities, and that's what #GivingTuesday is all about. Leveraging the power of social media, #GivingTuesday is a "global day of giving," putting a focus on volunteering, charity, and events in communities across the world that falls on the Tuesday after Thanksgiving in the U.S. This year, that's November 27, 2018.

Whether it's your time, money, or a specific gift, the #GivingTuesday movement is a great way to give back to your community. If you're interested in getting involved in the movement, you can check out the #GivingTuesday website to find tools that both individuals and organizations can use to give back.

What is #GivingTuesday, exactly?

Beginning in 2012, #GivingTuesday is a philanthropic observance that raises money and encourages volunteering for charitable causes in the United States, supported by sister movements around the world. Participants are encouraged to find some way to give back, with a major focus on local giving.

The official #GivingTuesday website features a number of tools that you can use to find charities and volunteering opportunities, create #GivingTuesday movements and organizations in their own cities, and learn more about the impact of their donations.

How you can give back

The official #GivingTuesday website has a list of locations across the U.S. that have been set up in order to facilitate this giving celebration. On the map, click on a map marker near your area to see the organizations near the marker that support #GivingTuesday. They might offer an online portable for charitable giving, local organizations at which you can volunteer, or some other way to give back.

If you're not in the U.S., but would still like to participate in #GivingTuesday, the page also links to related movements around the world, including official outgrowths of #GivingTuesday in countries like Australia, Kenya, and Norway.

Volunteering

Wherever you live, there are bound to be a number of nonprofit organizations around you that could use an extra set of hands. #GivingTuesday has a tool you can use to find out what's happening around you. Enter your city and state of residence, click search, and bring up all of the nonprofits and other organizations where you can volunteer on Tuesday.

The #GivingTuesday site offers links to each organization's website, as well as an address, if applicable. The organizations might have information about volunteering, donating money, or other ways you might be able to help.

Giving Great

The #GivingTuesday site also has tools to help you donate with an impact. Giving Great has resources not only for finding a charity to which you can give, but also increase the impact of your giving, thoughtful vs. "thoughtless" giving, and how your donation gets used.

How are you giving back?

How are you giving back this holiday season? Have you found a great organization for your volunteering time or donation dollars? Let us know in the comments!