GivingTuesday began 13 years ago as an initiative by New York City’s 92nd Street Y to encourage generosity and good deeds has become a worldwide day of giving. The idea was the brainchild of Henry Timms, the Y’s then–executive director and coauthor of “New Power: How Power Works in Our Hyperconnected World – and How to Make It Work for You.”
The first celebration took place on Nov. 27, 2012. Driven by social media and the hashtag #GivingTuesday, people everywhere came together to give back — donating, volunteering and spreading kindness across communities.
By 2019, the movement had become an independent nonprofit. With support from organizations such as the United Nations Foundation (which served as a cofounder), and the Gates Foundation, GivingTuesday evolved into a year-round force for good. The campaign has since spread across six continents, embraced by millions who believe in the power of radical generosity.
Celebrated on the Tuesday after Thanksgiving, it serves as a counterbalance to the commercial focus of Black Friday and Cyber Monday. This year, it falls on Dec. 2.
Visit givingtuesday.org