This post was written by Henry Timms on behalf of the Case Foundation:
“Yes—these feel completely right!”
That was my first reaction to the Case Foundation’s five Be Fearless principles. My next was, “I need to double down on all five…”
I suspect many people have had a similar response. Certainly when we have made progress with the #GivingTuesday movement, it has often come from taking Be Fearless steps. Make Big Bets; Reach Beyond Your Bubble; Let Urgency Conquer Fear—these have proved themselves ideas to live by.
Following Black Friday and Cyber Monday, #GivingTuesday is a campaign to add a national day of giving to the calendar. This campaign came to life here at 92nd Street Y, in close partnership with our friends at the UN Foundation. And from a standing start, we have now been joined by over 1,000 organizations in all fifty states.
So on Tuesday, November 27, charities, companies, institutions and individuals will come together to encourage people to “commit an act of giving.” Whether that means participating in a food drive, making a special donation or volunteering your time, #GivingTuesday is a day to celebrate our country’s great tradition of giving, and to support the cause that matters most to you.
All kinds of plans are in the works. A group of pilots have come together to provide funding to enable people with disabilities to learn to fly. A newsroom of writers in Salt Lake City are drafting letters of encouragement to people in recovery. Families all over the country are planning book drives and family gifts to encourage the next generation of philanthropists.
Major organizations are making big bets on #GivingTuesday. Microsoft and Global Giving have partnered on a $100,000 matching campaign to support global youth. On #GivingTuesday, JC Penney will be giving up to $100,000 to the Salvation Army in an innovative button campaign (as well as having a live John Legend performance and free hot chocolate for New Yorkers!). Unilever will run its first-ever company-wide food drive for Feeding America, in 30 locations across the US.
It’s especially rewarding to see the innovative partnership that has been created between three #GivingTuesday founding partners, the Case Foundation, CrowdRise, and SixDegrees.org. On #GivingTuesday, the Case Foundation is providing $25,000 in matching donations, and SixDegrees.org is adding in additional $10,000—so if you use Crowdrise to contribute to any cause or nonprofit on #GivingTuesday on this page on CrowdRise, your contribution will be matched up to $35,000.
As we enter the holiday season, let me encourage you to add a new date to your diary. Join us on Tuesday, November 27—the first #GivingTuesday. And help make it a date that will live on the American calendar every year.
No matter what you give, no matter which cause you support, take the time to get together with people everywhere to participate in one of our country’s proudest traditions. And make sure you tweet and post about what you are giving.
In Black Friday and Cyber Monday, we have two days that are good for the economy. Help launch a new day that’s good for the soul.
Henry Timms is the Deputy Executive Director of Strategy, Content and Innovation at the 92 Street Y in New York City.
