Tuesday, Dec. 3 is Giving Tuesday, an international movement that encourages support for community-based organizations and causes. It’s a wonderful opportunity for nonprofit organizations to share their mission and tell stories of success, triumph and impact. Giving Tuesday also is your opportunity to make a difference in the community.
We are blessed to live in a region with so many top-notch charitable organizations, but it can be difficult to know how to help or where to begin. Below are helpful tips to consider as Giving Tuesday approaches.
Choose a Cause
Pick an issue, cause or movement that is near and dear to your heart. It could be animal welfare, protecting the environment, helping veterans or senior citizens, improving education or healthcare services, eliminating poverty or any number of social issues. The key to becoming a passionate supporter is finding a cause that has personally impacted you or a family member.
Find a Local Nonprofit
After identifying a cause, it’s time to choose a locally-based organization, or even a national organization with a chapter or presence in the region, that is addressing the issue. Pay special attention to the mission statement to make sure it aligns with your values. Ask to see an annual Impact Report, which outlines programs and services while demonstrating an organization’s accomplishments and needs. Charity Navigator is a reputable online source that evaluates and rates thousands of nonprofits based on financial strength, accountability and transparency, helping potential donors feel confident that their contributions are being used responsibly.
Give
Monetary donations are immensely important for nonprofits to carry out their missions, but that’s not the only way to give. Giving Tuesday’s website also suggests giving your time by volunteering, giving your talent by offering pro bono assistance and giving your voice by helping to advocate for an organization. Supporters who give their time, talent and voice are just as valuable, and appreciated, as those who give their money.
Giving permeates the culture at Priority Marketing, where both the company and its employees regularly contribute time, talent, and treasure to worthy causes. Priority Marketing works with a large number of charitable and community-based organizations, many of which are rolling out campaigns tied to Giving Tuesday, end-of-year giving and volunteerism. Below is a list of those clients for your consideration:
- Avow Hospice
- Boca Grande Foundation
- Calusa Recovery
- Charity for Change
- Child Care of Southwest Florida
- Conservancy of Southwest Florida
- Cypress Lake United Methodist Church
- Dress for Success of SW Florida
- Earn to Learn FL
- Everglades Coalition
- Florida SouthWestern State College Foundation
- Golisano Children’s Hospital of Southwest Florida
- Greater Fort Myers Chamber of Commerce Foundation
- Guadalupe Center
- Guardian ad Litem Foundation
- Habitat for Humanity of Lee and Hendry Counties
- Healthcare Network of Southwest Florida
- Healthy Lee
- Hope Healthcare Services
- IMAG History & Science Center
- Jewish Federation of Greater Naples
- Junior Achievement of Southwest Florida
- Kid’s Minds Matter
- Lee BIA Builders Care
- Lee Health Foundation
- One Way Out Ministries
- Pace Center for Girls, Lee County
- Sally J. Pimentel Deaf & Hard of Hearing Center
- Southwest Florida Christian Academy
- SWFL Children’s Charities, Inc.
For more ideas on how to give back with purpose, please watch our FAQ Fridays video outlining “Why giving back should be part of your marketing strategy.”
