What is GivingTuesday? Guide + 11 ideas to try for 2026

Key takeaways

GivingTuesday happens every year on the first Tuesday after Thanksgiving.
This global day of giving encourages donors to contribute to nonprofit organizations around the world within a 24-hour timeframe.
Since its inception, GivingTuesday has helped raise over $22.5 billion for nonprofits.

With over $22.5 billion donated by millions of supporters since its inception, GivingTuesday is the ultimate fast-paced fundraising opportunity for nonprofits. It presents a unique opportunity to attract donors and raise funds by appealing to global generosity within a limited timeframe. But since you only have 24 hours to reach your fundraising goals, you need a strategic plan to reach supporters and maximize your impact. 

In this article, we’ll answer frequently asked questions and offer suggestions for how you can unleash your community’s generosity on GivingTuesday — including how you can leverage the best tools, like Bonterra’s fundraising software, to maximize your organization’s potential for impact.

What is GivingTuesday?

GivingTuesday is a global day of giving to nonprofits that occurs on the Tuesday after Thanksgiving each year, celebrating collective generosity around the world. 

Social media has helped #GivingTuesday become an annual international movement that encourages as many people as possible to donate to nonprofit organizations in a 24-hour period. Nonprofits use GivingTuesday to run fast-paced fundraising campaigns, often on social media, that generate excitement and urgency for their purpose. These campaigns also provide opportunities to spread broader awareness of your nonprofit and acquire new donors.

The history of GivingTuesday

GivingTuesday began in 2012 in New York City as a response to Black Friday and Cyber Monday, with 2,500 organizations participating. Where Black Friday and Cyber Monday embrace consumerism ahead of the winter holidays, GivingTuesday encourages individuals to do good through their generosity for the year-end giving season.

Since its inception as a national day of giving, GivingTuesday has grown into a global phenomenon. By 2015, the movement had spread to 70+ countries, and by 2019, it had raised over $500 million online in the U.S. alone. Today, thousands of organizations across over 90 countries participate in GivingTuesday, raising billions of dollars for various causes.

When is GivingTuesday?

GivingTuesday falls on the Tuesday after Thanksgiving each year. This year, GivingTuesday is Tuesday, December 1, 2026. 

The dates for the next few years are:

• November 30, 2027
• November 28, 2028
• November 27, 2029

Other GivingTuesday FAQs

Who can participate in GivingTuesday?

Anyone can participate in GivingTuesday! Whether you’re raising money as an individual, nonprofit, school, higher education institution, or another group, you can join in. You do not have to officially register your participation, and you don’t even have to be a registered 501(c)(3), as long as you notify donors that their gifts are not tax-deductible. 

Why does GivingTuesday matter for nonprofits?

Beyond the spike in donations for a wide range of causes, GivingTuesday campaigns come with plenty of benefits for nonprofit organizations, including:

• Access to new prospective donors searching the GivingTuesday hashtag
• Increased visibility for organizations of all sizes
• Natural momentum and motivation for giving
• Increased brand awareness and fundraising results
• Easy donor engagement and stewardship potential
• Opportunities to promote your other fundraising campaigns online

Whether through a social media campaign, an email appeal, or an in-person fundraiser, GivingTuesday makes it possible for organizations to connect with donors wherever they are.

“Generosity isn’t just about money — it’s about connection and community.” — Asha Curran, GivingTuesday’s Chief Executive Officer

How does GivingTuesday work?

Any 501(c)(3) nonprofit can participate in GivingTuesday without registering or paying fees. The day brings together nonprofits of all types, including:

• Large and small nonprofit organizations
• Grassroots campaigns
• Educational organizations
• Healthcare organizations

You can find more information about the movement and how you can participate on the GivingTuesday website.

Organizations typically participate by running social media campaigns, sending email appeals, hosting live events, or mobilizing volunteers. The key is meeting supporters where they already are and encouraging them to be part of something bigger than themselves.

How much can I raise on GivingTuesday?

While results vary depending on an organization’s size, outreach strategy, and donor base, the potential of your giving campaign is significant. Nonprofits of all sizes — from grassroots organizations to national nonprofits — saw increased engagement and donor acquisition.

In 2025, GivingTuesday saw a record-breaking $4 billion in donations in the United States. Your GivingTuesday campaign can be one of the biggest fundraising opportunities of the year if you plan ahead and use multiple channels.

For many organizations, GivingTuesday offers a great opportunity to close out the year with increased support. According to generosity trends, hosting smaller giving days throughout the year can help organizations achieve similar success, allowing you to raise even more funds and build more relationships year-round.

How can I participate in GivingTuesday this year?

Nonprofits can participate by launching fundraising campaigns, hosting events, or engaging volunteers, while individuals can give, fundraise, or spread the word on social media. 

13 best GivingTuesday ideas for your campaign

Giving days are a convenient way for donors to engage with the causes they care about and allow participating organizations to highlight their impact and communicate their most pressing needs.

Get creative and think outside the box for your GivingTuesday campaign. Plan a campaign to raise money and celebrate generosity in your own way, tailored to your audience’s preferences.

Consider trying these fundraising event ideas for your next GivingTuesday campaign:

1. Launch a peer-to-peer fundraising challenge

Peer-to-peer (P2P) fundraising is an effective way to raise awareness for your organization and grow your community. Supporters can sign up to fundraise on your behalf by creating their own personal fundraising pages. This format helps you access your supporters’ networks of family and friends, encouraging more individuals to give.

By empowering your volunteer fundraisers with the tools to set their own goals, tell their own stories, and get their networks involved, you’ll give them a fun and easy way to support your organization. Plus, you’ll open up a whole new world of potential donors for your cause.

Simplify peer-to-peer fundraising for both staff and participants with the right P2P software. Hear about the results one organization achieved with Bonterra DonorDrive:

“Utilizing peer-to-peer fundraising for our giving day not only allowed us to engage key stakeholders such as our board of directors, physicians, and hospital staff, it allowed us to greatly expand the reach of our cause far beyond expectations.” —Tiffany Bloss, Schuyler Health Foundation, Cayuga Health

DonorDrive provides each fundraiser with their own toolkit and profile, delivers mini campaign donations directly to your organization, and helps centralize your donor data, making it easy to trust and understand.

2. Go live on social media

The primary avenue for donors to discover new causes and giving initiatives on GivingTuesday is through social media. In fact, #GivingTuesday garners billions of impressions on social media each year. With thoughtful social media marketing strategies, you can take advantage of this widespread attention and direct it toward your nonprofit. 

Follow these tips to build a social media presence for your GivingTuesday campaign:

• Create a social media content plan that outlines the messaging, visuals, videos, and hashtags you intend to use, along with the platforms you will be active on.
• Use the #GivingTuesday hashtag to boost your online presence and reach new audiences with your posts.
• Create a custom hashtag for your campaign to streamline your supporters’ activity, such as #WildlifeWarriorsGive2026 or #GivingTuesdayLAFD.
• Incorporate countdown posts and fundraising thermometers to build anticipation or gamification tactics to spur donations through healthy competition.
• Use influencers to amplify your message and increase your reach and engagement. Contact thought leaders who have a large following and ask them to share your message with their networks.
• Engage with your audience in real time by responding to comments, thanking donors, and sharing updates to keep the momentum going.

With these tips, you can attract more donors, gain more visibility, and achieve your fundraising goals on GivingTuesday.

3. Run a text-to-give campaign

This channel is great for spur-of-the-moment donors or for people who stumble upon your social media posts while looking for ways to get involved on GivingTuesday. By sharing your text-to-give phone number and keyword (like “DONATE”), anyone can give efficiently. All they need is a phone!

Make it easy for donors to take action with clear, easy-to-follow calls to action (CTAs). In every text-to-give campaign post, provide specific instructions. Using a text-to-give platform for mobile giving can make donating more accessible, as long as your supporters know how to participate.

4. Promote matching gifts

The key to making the most of GivingTuesday is uniting your supporters to work together towards your goal, and what better way to rally supporters than letting them know that they can double their contributions?

A matching gift program is one of the most effective ways to maximize the impact of your GivingTuesday campaign. Donation matching encourages others to give because they know their impact will be multiplied. By partnering with businesses, board members, or major donors, you can create a challenge where every dollar raised is matched — instantly doubling the impact of each contribution.

You can tap into matching gifts in one of two ways:

1. Partner with a major donor who is willing to match all donations up to a certain amount. If a loyal major donor is already planning a large donation, they’re the perfect candidate. Reach out and explain the benefits of a matching gift challenge, then ask if they would be willing to pledge to match donations up to a certain amount. If they were already committed to giving $20,000, for example, they could set that as their maximum.
2. Encourage donors to request corporate matching gifts from their employers. Many companies have matching gift programs that involve the employer matching their employees’ donations to eligible nonprofits at a 1:1 or even 2:1 ratio. Promote these opportunities to your supporters and provide guidance on how to check their eligibility and submit match requests. 

Either way, promote matching gifts throughout your GivingTuesday communications. Emphasize that your donors’ impact will be doubled at the top of your donation page, or include a pop-up message about the opportunity. You can even incorporate a matching gift search tool into your donation form to make it easier for donors to research and determine their eligibility.

5. Host a GivingTuesday event

Virtual events like online fundraisers are a natural extension of online GivingTuesday campaigns. They’re an engaging way to bring people together from anywhere in the world, and they’re easy for supporters to join, whether they find your campaign on social media or receive an invitation link via text or email. Events give supporters a chance to connect directly with your mission, regardless of where they’re located.

Use online fundraising event software to host a virtual raffle or silent auction and quickly boost your fundraising revenue. Bonterra OneCause offers all the features you need to easily manage a GivingTuesday event, from ticketing to mobile bidding and streamlined checkout.

Use your event software to gamify fundraising and provide real-time donation opportunities and live updates to keep energy high. Done well, a virtual event can generate excitement, attract new supporters, and deepen relationships with existing donors.

6. Send out email campaigns

Email is still one of the most effective ways to reach supporters during GivingTuesday.

You can use a GivingTuesday email template to get started or try drafting a series of messages leading up to the event, on the day itself, and in the follow-up period. Each should tell a compelling story about your mission, share the tangible impact of gifts, and include a clear call to action.

Don’t forget to segment your audience. First-time donors may need more context about your work, while longtime supporters might respond best to messages of gratitude and impact.

7. Recruit volunteers to make calls

A heartfelt thank-you can mean more when it’s delivered personally. Recruit a group of staff or volunteers to make thank-you phone calls or videos throughout the day so donors feel your appreciation within hours of making a donation.

These personal touches make supporters feel immediately appreciated and help strengthen long-term relationships. Even a two-minute call to say “thank you” can leave a lasting impression that encourages future giving.

Volunteers can help you make the most of other aspects of GivingTuesday, too. They can help you brainstorm campaign ideas, staff fundraising events, or even leverage their social networks to spread awareness for your cause. Make sure to thank your volunteers early and often, especially if they donate in addition to contributing their time.

8. Encourage random acts of kindness

Encourage community participation in GivingTuesday beyond just donating. Ask supporters to perform random acts of kindness that spread positivity and connection. Acts could include writing thank-you notes to neighbors, paying for someone’s coffee, or donating gently used items to a local shelter.

On GivingTuesday, highlight these stories across your social media channels to show how small acts add up to something bigger. When people see that generosity is about more than money, they’re more likely to feel inspired to participate in your campaign.

9. Consider crowdfunding

Crowdfunding is a great way to tap into the power of your community. The core difference between crowdfunding and peer-to-peer fundraising is that this type of campaign uses a single campaign page. Rally your supporters around a dedicated crowdfunding page where donors can easily give, share your message, and invite others to participate.

Often, the key to a successful crowdfunding campaign is storytelling — share why you’re raising funds and how donations will be used. Adding live updates or testimonials encourages more people to give.

10. Request in-kind donations

Invite your community to donate in-kind items such as clothing, canned food, hygiene kits, or school supplies — whatever makes the most sense for your mission. These types of donations can make a tangible difference for organizations serving immediate community needs.

Make it easy by publishing a clear list of what’s most needed and providing simple drop-off instructions. You can even tie this effort to your digital campaign by encouraging donors to post photos of their donations on social media to spread awareness.

11. Turn supporters into advocates

Empower your donors and volunteers to go beyond giving by becoming advocates for your mission. When supporters share your story with their own networks, they can dramatically expand your reach. Provide them with easy-to-use resources like sample social posts, talking points, or shareable graphics to make ongoing advocacy effortless.

Bonterra EveryAction makes it easy to activate supporters with personalized engagement and turn action-takers into loyal donors through a dedicated advocacy platform. By turning one-time donors into lifelong champions, you’ll amplify your impact far beyond a single day of giving and boost donor lifetime value. 

Essential GivingTuesday best practices for nonprofits

Whether you use a GivingTuesday checklist to jumpstart planning or rely on an approach that’s unique to your organization, you should use a few best practices. These strategies will help you maximize visibility, boost donations, and ensure your efforts have a lasting impact.

Start planning early

Give yourself at least six to eight weeks to plan your GivingTuesday campaign. Early prep gives you time to finalize your messaging, secure matching gift sponsors, and rally your team. Use our sample timeline below as a guide:

• Six to eight weeks before GivingTuesday: Set your fundraising goals, recruit volunteers, build out your software stack, and start segmenting your audience.
• Two to four weeks before GivingTuesday: Create essential marketing materials, solidify a matching gift sponsor or other incentives, and finalize your campaign messaging.
• On GivingTuesday: Publish your dedicated donation page, post on social media, share impact stories and milestones, and thank donors throughout the day.
• After GivingTuesday: Send additional thanks to all participants, analyze campaign performance, and use your insights to fuel your ongoing efforts.

GivingTuesday is more than a single day. It requires months of careful planning, communication, and engagement to ensure everything runs smoothly. Most nonprofits start planning at least a few months in advance (August or September). However, the earlier you start planning your GivingTuesday campaign, the more your organization will benefit. 

Set a clear donation goal

In the months leading up to GivingTuesday, establish goals and review past campaign performance. Identify successful strategies and areas for improvement to make this year’s campaign more effective. Set fundraising goals that are realistic yet ambitious enough to propel your nonprofit to new heights.

Then, communicate clear goals with your internal team regarding:

• Overall fundraising objectives
• Financial budget
• Donor acquisition goals
• Social media engagement metrics
• Event attendance
• Campaign reach
• Donation page metrics
• Matching gift participation

Clear, realistic goals motivate both your team and your donors. Make sure to connect your GivingTuesday goals to tangible impact, like funding a specific program or serving a set number of beneficiaries.

Use the right GivingTuesday platforms

The platforms you use can make or break your GivingTuesday results. Look for tools that help you launch multi-channel campaigns, gamify fundraising, track engagement, and simplify donor management. 

Bonterra has everything you need to run a successful GivingTuesday campaign. Here’s what you can do with a few of the platforms in our nonprofit software suite:

• EveryAction enables you to run integrated email, social, and direct mail campaigns with centralized reporting.
• DonorDrive empowers peer-to-peer fundraising and individual giving, allowing supporters to raise funds on your behalf.
• Bonterra Network for Good offers easy-to-use donation pages and donor engagement tools for small to mid-sized nonprofits.
• Bonterra OneCause streamlines auction and event fundraising, enabling you to host engaging online events during your GivingTuesday campaign.

Nonprofit fundraising software is your most powerful ally. Choosing the right technology ensures your GivingTuesday campaign runs seamlessly from the first touchpoint to your final thank-you. Assess your organization’s technology needs and contact the Bonterra team today to learn more about the best solutions for you.

Optimize your donation page

The digital world is the primary reason that GivingTuesday has become so popular, so you should expect donors to give online. This means you need a branded donation page that’s easy to complete in just minutes.

Avoid common pitfalls by using these tips to optimize your donation page now: 

• Use a simple design. Design a user-friendly page and donation form with prominent calls-to-action, varying donation levels, brand logos and colors, and more.
• Ask for only the necessary information. Build trust among new and current donors with a secure, optimized donation process that only collects essential data.
• Add impact labels. Clearly connect gifts to your mission by labeling the value of suggested donation amounts. For example, “$50 = One new cat bed for our animal shelter!”
• Make it mobile-friendly. Before you share it with your network, test your donation process to ensure it runs smoothly on all devices.

With a one-stop-shop online giving page, your supporters can learn exactly what your organization’s goals are, how they can get involved, and what sets your GivingTuesday campaign apart. Then, they can easily donate from anywhere.

Provide multiple ways to give

Just as you should leverage different promotional channels, your team should also offer several donation options for supporters on GivingTuesday. This might include:

• Standard cash donations
• Donations via digital wallets
• Monthly, recurring gifts
• Anonymous contributions
• Tribute donations
• In-kind gifts
• Corporate matches
• Donor-advised funds
• Non-cash gifts, like stocks

The more opportunities you offer, the more prospective supporters you’ll inspire to give. Include all of these options directly on your donation page so donors can instantly see how easy it is to give using various donation methods.

Segment your audience

Not every donor is motivated by the same message. Segmenting your audience ensures each group receives communications that feel personalized and relevant. For example:

• New donors: Focus on storytelling and impact to engage new supporters and build trust.
• Recurring donors: Emphasize your appreciation and highlight the progress they’ve already made possible.
• Lapsed donors: Send re-engagement appeals that show what’s changed since they last gave and how they can help.

Donors increasingly expect and appreciate personalized messages. By tailoring your GivingTuesday messages, you’ll create stronger connections and increase the likelihood of repeat giving.

Tell powerful stories about your mission

Many nonprofits tend to lean into displaying impact data and previous GivingTuesday fundraising results. While these metrics are important, they’ll communicate your organization’s message in a much more compelling way when paired with storytelling. Share authentic, compelling stories about your beneficiaries and community members to emotionally engage (and convert!) more donors.

To write a story that resonates with new and existing donors alike, use these basic best practices:

• Only tell real, relevant stories that evoke positive emotions.
• Ask beneficiaries, volunteers, staff, board members, and even donors to share their stories.
• Use a classic story arc: setting, conflict, resolution.
• Incorporate images and videos to put a face to your stories.
• Always get explicit permission from individuals to include their stories in your marketing materials.

Once you capture your audience’s attention with a compelling story, encourage them to play a part by donating to your GivingTuesday campaign. End every story with a clear call to action and a direct link to your donation page.

Publicly recognize your donors

Public recognition goes a long way in building lasting donor relationships. Even before GivingTuesday wraps up, make sure you show gratitude to your supporters. Thank everyone involved and show your appreciation for their contributions. A timely thank-you makes donors feel seen and reinforces their decision to give.

Consider these simple but impactful ways to acknowledge your donors:

• Highlight them on social media with personalized shoutouts.
• Send thank-you emails promptly, making sure each message emphasizes the impact of their gift.
• Create donor appreciation videos and post them on social media.
• Pick up the phone to personally thank donors who make significant contributions.

Opting for creative donor thank-you ideas can go a long way in building lasting connections. Small gestures, like sending donors branded products or personalizing your notes of appreciation, help them feel truly valued for their contributions.

By shining a spotlight on donor generosity, you build stronger relationships and encourage ongoing support well beyond GivingTuesday.

Use data to reflect on your campaign

After GivingTuesday, your organization will have a surplus of new data about your donors’ behavior and the success of your campaign.

Analyze your results to learn what worked and where you can improve. Key metrics include:

• Online and offline donations
• New and repeat donors
• Donations driven by peer-to-peer fundraisers
• Volunteer sign-ups
• Social media engagement
• Donation sources (email, social, campaign page)

Pair this analysis with a short donor survey to gather feedback. These insights will help you refine future fundraising strategies and make each giving day stronger than the last.

As the year comes to an end, include GivingTuesday data in your year-end communications. Doing so is a great way to show just how impactful your donors have been and how much you appreciate their support.

Keep the momentum going through year-end

Charitable giving peaks in December, so use your GivingTuesday fundraising results as a springboard into year-end fundraising. Your follow-up messaging between GivingTuesday and year-end should include your goals, how close you are to meeting them, and what exactly you are trying to accomplish with your supporters’ gifts.

Maintaining an active social media presence will help you stay connected, but keep these year-end giving best practices in mind to maximize results:

• Align your GivingTuesday and year-end campaigns. While GivingTuesday is its own entity, be sure to announce to donors what other fundraisers you will be hosting throughout the year.
• Host an end-of-year black-tie gala or auction for top donors. This is a great opportunity to have one last fundraiser while also providing a special “thank-you” to devoted donors.
• Look outside the box and try a new channel, like text-to-donate, to drive last-minute donations. Text-to-donate options are great for those people who may not be on social media and want a quick, easy way to give before the year is up.

Use year-end momentum to provide donors with challenges and new surprises to keep them engaged. By being transparent about your needs and celebrating donors’ impact, you’ll retain supporters and strengthen relationships as you head into the new year.

Jumpstart your GivingTuesday campaign with Bonterra

Getting involved with GivingTuesday allows you to join a global movement, amplify your mission, and inspire generosity. With the right approach — and the right technology — you can maximize the immediate impact of GivingTuesday and your momentum through December. 

Looking to improve your technology ahead of the big day? Bonterra’s fundraising software helps nonprofits launch effective multi-channel campaigns, track donor engagement, and build stronger supporter relationships.

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