Click here for Noozhawk’s Giving Tuesday Guide
What if the biggest shopping weekend of the year ended not with a purchase, but with a purpose?
Enter Giving Tuesday, the 24-hour giving phenomenon that is helping local nonprofits amplify donations and increase awareness.
What started as a grassroots movement 12 years ago is now a global crusade that inspires people to do good, and in the true spirit of the holidays – to give rather than receive.
For Storyteller Children’s Center, Giving Tuesday represents more than a single day of fundraising—it’s an integral part of the nonprofit’s carefully orchestrated year-end campaign.
Building on the momentum of September’s successful gala, the nonprofit is using this global day of giving to showcase its brand refresh, including a new logo and website.
The timing expands Storyteller’s message across multiple platforms, creating a cohesive campaign that will culminate in its year-end appeal.
Similarly, AHA! is carrying forward the energy from its 25th anniversary celebration, with a coordinated campaign that began at its October gala, and continues through newsletters, advertising, and impact videos on social media for Giving Tuesday.
While financial donations drive many Giving Tuesday initiatives, Mission Scholars is taking a different approach this year.
The organization is welcoming volunteers to its office on Dec. 3 to fill holiday stockings for Teddy Bear Cancer Foundation families— demonstrating how one local nonprofit can strengthen another through creative collaboration.
“This is an opportunity for Mission Scholars to show our gratitude to the community,” said Mission Scholars Executive Director Cassie Lancaster.
“The day is not just about giving money; it’s about kindness and making a difference and in that spirit, we wanted to show how important our local partnerships are to our organization and to the community.”
Lancaster credits development associate Shyra Jain for conceiving the idea. The event is open to community members with advance reservation, and participating students can receive community service hours.
“It truly takes a community to help a local family face the unimaginable diagnosis of pediatric cancer,” said Brittany Avila Wazny, executive director of TBCF. “Unfortunately, we are seeing our needs grow and we greatly value nonprofit partners like Mission Scholars who have chosen to invest in our mission along with their own.”
This emphasis on specialized cancer support programs extends to other local organizations.
This Giving Tuesday, Cancer Foundation of Santa Barbara (CFSB) is focusing on funding a specific program, as opposed to a more general campaign.
Cancer WellFit is a free 10-week fitness program tailored for local cancer patients and survivors at Swell Athletic Club. The program, funded by CFSB, helps participants rebuild strength, increase flexibility, and restore confidence in a supportive environment.
The Cancer Foundation has been featuring impact stories on Cancer WellFit on the nonprofit’s Instagram and Facebook accounts since early October, leading up to Giving Tuesday when they hope to raise $2,500 to support the 10-week session for 10 patients.
A gift of just $25 supports one participant for a week.
“Nonprofits are motivated to leverage the day and take advantage of the giving season especially at such a commodified time,” said Lauren Trujillo, executive director of the Santa Barbara Library Foundation.
In an average year, Trujillo told Noozhawk, Giving Tuesday brings in several thousand dollars, but the long-term impact is harder to measure.
“We magnify our message to our existing audience, while also attracting potential new donors through social media campaigns,” said Trujillo. “It’s hard to qualify the impact of new people discovering our nonprofit, getting involved and making a gift in the future.”
Though it’s just one day, Giving Tuesday can be a critical one for many organizations, often determining their capacity to serve the community in the year ahead.
Click here for Noozhawk’s Giving Tuesday Guide
