• Giving Tuesday continues to grow in impact. With billions donated each year, it’s a powerful time to connect with supporters and share your mission.
• Ensure you’re ready to welcome donors wherever they choose to give. Ensure that your charitable solicitation filings are up to date, allowing your nonprofit to fundraise confidently across states.
• Set the stage for lasting momentum. A few early checks, like goals, messaging, and required registrations, help your campaign start strong and build trust.

Understanding the Impact

Each year, millions of people come together for a shared purpose: to give back. Giving Tuesday, on December 2, 2025, has evolved into a global celebration of generosity and community. In 2024, supporters in the U.S. contributed an estimated $3.1 billion, highlighting its impact.

For nonprofits, it’s a significant opportunity to share your story, rally supporters, and welcome new donors. To make the most of this opportunity, a few essentials help set the stage like clarifying your goals and confirming your charitable solicitation registrations are current. With up-to-date filings, your organization can fundraise where your donors live and stay in good standing. It also shows supporters that their generosity is in responsible hands. We’ll explore these points more throughout this article.

What Is the Purpose of Giving Tuesday?

Giving Tuesday was established to encourage people to give back to their communities. After the busy shopping rush of Black Friday and Cyber Monday, the focus shifts back to community, kindness, and generosity.

According to GivingTuesday.org, donors in the U.S. contributed an estimated $3.1 billion in 2024, a 15% increase over 2023. The movement has grown into a worldwide tradition, with over 80 countries participating.

People celebrate by donating, volunteering, fundraising, or simply spreading awareness about a cause. Every act of generosity counts, and any organization can join in.

Why Does Giving Tuesday Matter for Nonprofits?

For many nonprofits, Giving Tuesday marks the start of the year-end giving season, the most important fundraising period of the year. Donors are already thinking about giving, so this day helps your organization stand out and spark action.

In 2024, more than 34 million people participated in Giving Tuesday, helping nonprofits across the world build momentum heading into year-end. Online giving also grew by 9%, showing how important digital fundraising has become.

A strong Giving Tuesday campaign can:

• Encourage first-time gifts and renew lapsed donors
• Expand your donor base through social sharing
• Strengthen relationships with existing supporters
• Build momentum for your year-end appeal

Many of Labyrinth’s nonprofit clients, ranging from national advocacy groups to local charities, leverage this day to meet or even exceed their annual fundraising goals.

How Can Nonprofits Celebrate Giving Tuesday?

There’s no one right way to participate in Giving Tuesday. The best approach is to select activities that align with your mission and target audience. 

In 2024, Giving Tuesday content generated over 20 billion social media impressions, helping organizations share their stories far and wide. Supporters also shared Giving Tuesday posts at a rate three times higher than on an average day, making it one of the most effective times of year for digital outreach.

Some ways nonprofits celebrate include:

• Launch a focused fundraising campaign. Highlight a specific project or program that donations will support.
• Host a virtual or in-person event. Live-stream impact stories or host a volunteer day.
• Engage your community online. Use social media to share updates, thank donors, and encourage peer-to-peer fundraising.
• Partner with a business. Many organizations team up with brands for cause-marketing efforts.

Whatever you choose, plan early and make it easy for people to give or get involved.

Cause-Marketing Ideas for Giving Tuesday

To bring extra depth to your campaign, consider adding cause-marketing strategies that spark engagement and create visibility. These ideas borrow from our playbook in Cause Marketing: How Brands Are Driving $2B+ in Social Impact.

Here are a few smart ideas:

• Partner with a business for a matching or “purchase gives” campaign
  • In 2024, brand-nonprofit partnerships tied to Giving Tuesday generated an estimated $120 million in additional impact. Matching campaigns can increase participation by 40% or more, helping nonprofits reach new donors.
• Tell an impact-focused digital story
  • Use short videos, photos, or supporter testimonials to show your mission in action. Storytelling consistently drives higher engagement and encourages supporters to share your message.
• Mobilize your volunteers and supporters as ambassadors
  • Encourage your community to share photos, personal stories, or Giving Tuesday messages with the #GivingTuesday2025 hashtag. This kind of involvement builds momentum before, during, and after the day.

For more inspiration and strategies backed by research, explore our full cause-marketing guide.

Is Giving Tuesday Only for Nonprofits?

While nonprofits are at the heart of Giving Tuesday, the movement welcomes everyone. Businesses, schools, religious organizations, and individuals can all participate by supporting causes that matter to them.

Even small gestures, such as sharing a message of gratitude or donating supplies, help strengthen community connections. The goal is simple: make generosity a habit.

Why Do Nonprofits Often Ask for $19 a Month?

You may have noticed that many nonprofits suggest a monthly donation of $19. This is a well-tested fundraising strategy. Research shows that amounts just under a round number (like $19 instead of $20) feel more approachable to donors and lead to higher participation rates.

Recurring monthly donations also help nonprofits plan ahead and provide consistent support for their programs throughout the year.

What Should Nonprofits Do to Prepare for Giving Tuesday?

Before launching your Giving Tuesday campaign, take the time to ensure your organization is ready to fundraise. Many states require charitable solicitation registration before you ask for donations, whether online or in person. You can learn more about charitable solicitation requirements in our webinar Charitable Registration: What Does it Take to be Compliant?

Steps to Get Ready for Giving Tuesday

1. Confirm your charitable registration. Make sure your filings are current in every state where you plan to solicit donations.
2. Check your corporate status. Verify that your nonprofit is in good standing with the secretary of state.
3. Update disclosures. Include required statements on your donation pages and emails.
4. Plan your outreach. Use approved fundraising channels, including social media, to reach supporters.
5. Keep documentation. Maintain records of filings, renewals, and communications for transparency.

These filings show donors that your organization operates responsibly and ethically. They also help protect your nonprofit from penalties or delays that could disrupt your campaign.

Labyrinth, Inc. helps thousands of nonprofits each year manage their charitable registrations and renewals, enabling them to fundraise confidently and stay focused on their mission.

How to Stay Focused on Your Mission

Giving Tuesday can be busy, but its heart remains the same, encouraging generosity and strengthening communities. When your organization prepares ahead of time and meets all regulatory requirements, you can focus on what really matters: connecting with your supporters and sharing your impact.

Labyrinth, Inc. is here to help you maintain good standing, allowing you to spend more time changing lives and less time managing filings.

Ready to Get Started?

We help nonprofits of all sizes meet charitable registration and fundraising requirements in every state. If Giving Tuesday is part of your fundraising plan, now is the perfect time to confirm that your organization is ready to accept donations wherever your supporters may be. Let’s make Giving Tuesday 2025 your most successful campaign yet. Contact us today to get started.