Community Generosity is Focus Giving Tuesday
Community Generosity is Focus Giving Tuesday
This Giving Tuesday, December 2, nonprofit organizations across South Dakota will be stepping up for the all-day celebration of generosity known as South Dakota Day of Giving.
Giving Tuesday was originally conceived as a response to the increasing consumerism of the holiday season and its Black Friday, Small Business Saturday, and Cyber Monday shopping days. Now in its eighth year, the South Dakota Day of Giving is a special occasion to celebrate generosity and show support for the nonprofits working to improve local communities.
Nearly 400 community organizations are registered to participate in this year’s South Dakota Day of Giving, from food pantries and domestic violence shelters to cultural institutions and summer camps. Participating nonprofits range from small grassroots groups run entirely by volunteers to significant regional employers.
“Too often, the vital role South Dakota nonprofits play in providing essential services and amenities is taken for granted,” said Nora Leinen of South Dakota Gives, which organizes the statewide giving day. “The South Dakota Day of Giving allows us to take a moment out of the busy holiday season to show our gratitude and our support for the passionate people and organizations around us elevating our communities’ quality of life.”
On this year’s Day of Giving, nonprofits will be running a variety of campaigns to engage their communities and supporters, from soliciting donations for special projects or general operations to recruiting volunteers, spreading awareness of their programming, and more. Last year, nearly $1.1 million was raised during the Day of Giving season, and 65 percent of nonprofits reporting new donors making their first financial gift to their organization.
Throughout the day, South Dakota Gives will be building excitement and awareness as well as running a series of contests to award additional dollars to participating organizations. “The Day of Giving may be a one-day event, but it’s a reminder of the work nonprofits are doing year-round,” said Leinen. “We’re excited to see our participants go all-out this Giving Tuesday.”
A list of participating nonprofits can be viewed at www.southdakotagives.org/participating-nonprofits. All donations should be made directly to nonprofits themselves.
There are many local nonprofit agencies that rely on donors to remember them throughout the year.
