Giving Tuesday

#GivingTuesday is a global day of giving that harnesses the collective power of individuals, communities and organizations to encourage philanthropy and to celebrate generosity worldwide. Following Thanksgiving and the widely recognized shopping events Black Friday and Cyber Monday, this year’s #GivingTuesday will take place on November 27^th and will kick off the giving season by inspiring people to collaborate and give back.

Founded by the team in the Belfer Center for Innovation & Social Impact at 92nd Street #GivingTuesday is a global giving movement that has been built by individuals, families, organizations, businesses and communities in all 50 states and in countries around the world. This year, #GivingTuesday falls on November 27. #GivingTuesday harnesses the collective power of a unique blend of partners to transform how people think about, talk about, and participate in the giving season. It inspires people to take collective action to improve their communities, give back in better, smarter ways to the charities and causes they believe in, and help create a better world. #GivingTuesday demonstrates how every act of generosity counts, and that they mean even more when we give together.

This #GivingTuesday, LiveBeyond will celebrate giving by raising $10,000 for its education programs benefiting both children and adults in Haiti. As a faith-based humanitarian organization providing sustainable solutions for poverty in Thomazeau, Haiti, LiveBeyond manages an elementary school program, an at-risk program for children with disabilities, and literacy programs for adults, as most adults in Haiti can’t read or write.

While LiveBeyond saw a few donations around GivingTuesday last year, the organization hopes to see many more this year as an official participant with the #GivingTuesday campaign. LiveBeyond specifically hopes to raise $10,000 toward school supplies for both the students and the teachers, as well as additional training for the teachers to help bring them up to U.S. standards.

“As Americans, we have access to the best education possible, which means we tend to take it for granted. But in Haiti, only 50 percent of primary school age kids go to school (World Bank 2013) and of those who do go to school only 30 percent make it to third grade (UNICEF 2008),” said Dr. David Vanderpool, CEO and co-founder of LiveBeyond. “The lack of education is definitely one of the biggest oppressions in the country. Our vision has always been to break those bonds because without knowledge, creativity and imagination, Haiti will continue to suffer. Opening this school is a big step forward to change. We are really excited to be giving these children the chance to get the education they deserve.” 

Founded in 2012 by the 92nd Street Y – a community and cultural center in New York City ? #GivingTuesday inspired millions of people to give back and support the causes they believe in. Over $300 million was raised online to benefit a tremendously broad range of organizations, and much more was given in volunteer hours, donations of food and clothing, and acts of kindness.

“We are incredibly inspired by the way the #GivingTuesday community has embraced this concept for a worldwide movement,” said Henry Timms, founder of #GivingTuesday and Executive Director of 92Y. “As we prepare for November 27, we’re energized and encouraged by the community’s generosity. The levels of creativity, effort and the quality of the new ideas people have contributed and shared are phenomenal.”

“Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” Luke 6:38

Risen Reflections

Give on Tuesday and beyond. Find a cause that you are passionate about and prayerfully consider giving a donation to support their efforts. Many organizations list their needs on their website or send out a special financial ask sharing their needs for the year. Take time to review it and see if there is a special way that you can help. You can also volunteer your service as a gift of time.

Share with others. Take time this week to share with others about Giving Tuesday. It can be encouraging to hear what others are doing or the causes that they support. Grab coffee with a friend or dinner with your small group. After you share, take time to pray for each of the ministries or organizations that you support.

Give in faith. Sometimes giving doesn’t make sense. But trust God. As He guides and directs you to give, He will provide for all of your needs. Look through examples in the Bible when God asked people to give and it didn’t make sense at the time. Reflect on how they responded and what the outcome was.

Those who are interested in joining LiveBeyond’s #GivingTuesday initiative can visit www.livebeyond.org/givingtuesday. For more details about the #GivingTuesday movement, visit the #GivingTuesday website www.givingtuesday.org