Embrace Radical Generosity: Join GivingTuesday Australia 2024

As we approach the end of the year, a significant movement is on the horizon: GivingTuesday.

Celebrated on the first Tuesday after Thanksgiving in the United States (December 3 this year), this global day of giving has grown exponentially since its inception in 2012. Originally designed as a response to the consumerism of Black Friday and Cyber Monday, GivingTuesday encourages people to embrace generosity through monetary donations, acts of kindness, and volunteerism.

In recent years, GivingTuesday has become a remarkable movement, raising over $3.1 billion in the US alone in 2023, with projections of reaching between $3.5 and $5.1 billion in 2024.

However, when it comes to charitable giving, many Australians would be surprised to learn that:

• The number of people donating to charity has been steadily declining for over a decade.
• Compared to countries like the UK, the US, Canada, and New Zealand, we give significantly less.

Why are we seeing these trends? Many point to the cost of living, but that’s only part of the story. The data shows we're still spending on various non-essentials—overseas holidays, online shopping, dining out. In Australia, last year’s Black Friday spending topped $36 billion, highlighting the importance of redirecting this energy toward giving back.

The Hon Dr. Andrew Leigh MP, the Assistant Minister for Charities, highlighted a critical insight: “It’s because our sense of community is declining.” As our connections fray, so too does our collective sense of responsibility.

As GivingTuesday is all about collective generosity, it is the answer to reigniting this lost sense of community and redirecting our energy toward giving back again.

Raisely Takes the Lead in Australia

We are thrilled to announce that Raisely is now the Country Lead for GivingTuesday Australia, joining over 100 country leads worldwide! Our mission is to inspire every individual, charity, business, and school to participate in this celebration of generosity. This movement is not exclusive to Raisely users or charities; it is open to everyone who believes in the power of giving.

As we navigate a challenging cost-of-living crisis, let’s turn our collective focus from consumerism to community. GivingTuesday is an invitation for all Australians to join forces, celebrating acts of generosity—big or small—across our diverse communities. We’re here to amplify the message of GivingTuesday and foster a culture of giving.

Why Should Charities Get Involved?

GivingTuesday presents a unique opportunity for charities to enhance their year-end fundraising strategies. Here’s why you should participate:

• Worldwide Reach: GivingTuesday operates in over 100 countries, offering vast opportunities to engage with a global audience.
• Impactful Results: In 2022, the day raised $3.1 billion in the US. With projections of $3.5-$5.1 billion in 2024, the potential for impact is tremendous.
• Capture the Christmas Spending Audience: In Australia, Black Friday saw $36 billion spent in 2023, yet only a 2.7% increase in December spending. GivingTuesday offers a crucial opportunity to connect with this audience.
• Hit Year-End Targets Early: December is critical for charities, with many receiving 30% of their annual income during this month.
• Acquire New Donors: GivingTuesday provides a platform to attract a new audience, diversifying your donor base.
• Convert Regular Donors: On average, 2.2x more donors sign up for Regular Giving on GivingTuesday than on a typical day.
• Non-monetary benefits: GivingTuesday is about generosity in all its forms, which could also include acquiring volunteers, getting crucial items donates and expanding your reach with local communities.

GivingTuesday isn’t just charity

It’s important to remember that GivingTuesday isn’t just for charities; it’s a call to action for businesses, schools, and individuals alike. This global day of giving encourages everyone to step up and demonstrate radical generosity. Businesses can engage their employees in a volunteer day or acts of kindness around the office, schools can organise fundraising or service projects, and individuals can contribute in ways that resonate personally. Together, we can create a powerful movement that transcends traditional giving, uniting all sectors of society in a celebration of generosity. [Find out how else to get involved if you are a business, school or individual]

How to Get Involved

Running a GivingTuesday campaign can be a seamless addition to your year-end fundraising strategy. We encourage you to register any activities you’re planning to help us track the total raised—not just in Australia but globally.

Launch Your Campaign with Our GivingTuesday Template!

To make participating even easier, we’ve created a new GivingTuesday template designed for high conversion. This template includes optional peer-to-peer functionality to amplify your campaign's reach. Check it out here.

Additional Resources

To help you launch your GivingTuesday campaign successfully, we have a wealth of resources available, including:

• GivingTuesday 2024 Webinars: Join our webinars for APAC here and for North America here. Both include webinar recordings and slides.
• AI Tool: Our AI assistant helps you craft personalised, impactful email journeys that resonate with your supporters and inspire action.
• GivingTuesday Checklist: Make sure you’re prepared for GivingTuesday with Raisely's comprehensive check-list.
• GivingTuesday Matched Giving Guide: Learn how to secure a matching partner and run a matched giving period to maximise impact!

Content from Previous Years:

• GivingTuesday Ideas
• GivingTuesday Posts
• GivingTuesday Email Examples

Save the Date: December 3rd - GivingTuesday 2024!

Let’s come together to celebrate generosity and make a meaningful impact this GivingTuesday. Share this message widely, and let’s grow this movement together!