Giving Tuesday: Thinking locally for holiday philanthropy

GREEN BAY, WI- (WGBW) – Touted as a “global generosity movement,” Giving Tuesday is the Tuesday after Thanksgiving and is a time when people are encouraged to make their holiday gifts to nonprofit organizations.

Eric Sponholtz with Literacy Green Bay says Giving Tuesday is a great way to wrap up the Thanksgiving holiday after Black Friday, Small Business Saturday, and Cyber Monday. 

“Giving Tuesday is a good representation of the spirit, the philanthropy spirit, of the community,” Sponholtz said.

Ryan Rasmussen is the executive director of the Oshkosh Area Community Pantry. He said efforts like Giving Tuesday are essential for the non-profits it supports, but is also important for the people who give.

“Because it’s important! I mean, because all of the work is important regardless of the non-profit you’re supporting,” said Rasmussen. “The work is important. There are a lot of folks that are in need. But this is the time people like to reward and celebrate the fact that there are a lot of nonprofits out doing a lot of great work.”

A great way to celebrate Giving Tuesday is to donate to services and programs you believe in. Sponholtz added that volunteering is also a meaningful and fun way to give.

“The need is continuously there. Whether it’s literacy, whether it’s youth, whether it’s animals, or anything you talk about on a day to day basis, the need is always going to be there. It’s not going away,” Sponholtz said. “The need is always there. And whether or not it’s dollars. Or whether or not it’s just giving of your time. That’s really, really important and goes a long way.”

Civic Media is proud to support Giving Tuesday! Help a neighbor, sign up to volunteer at a local organization, or make a donation to a local nonprofit, today. For more information on how to make a difference in your community and throughout Wisconsin, visit civicmedia.us/giving.