Make a Big Impact With Holiday Giving

The holiday season is synonymous with the spirit of giving, a time when generosity and compassion take center stage. Around this time, Giving Tuesday and the end of the year prompt generous giving that plays a pivotal role in driving positive change across communities everywhere. Let’s take a closer look at Giving Tuesday and end-of-year giving, their significance, and how nonprofits like Crisis House leverage these donations to make a profound impact.

What Is Giving Tuesday?

Initiated in 2012 to counterbalance the consumerism of Black Friday and Cyber Monday, Giving Tuesday occurs on the Tuesday following Thanksgiving in the United States. It’s a global movement encouraging people to give back in whatever ways they can — be it time, money, goods, or voice. This day harnesses the collective power of individuals, communities, and organizations to encourage philanthropy and celebrate generosity.

The impact of Giving Tuesday is vast, with the movement raising $3.1 billion in 2022. It’s a powerful catalyst for charitable giving, and a fantastic start to the holiday giving season.

End-of-Year Giving

The end-of-year giving season is another critical period for charities. Historically, December has been a significant month for donations, with an estimated 25% of annual giving occurring in this month alone. This surge is attributed to the spirit of the holiday season, tax deduction incentives, and heightened awareness of social issues.

Why Giving Tuesday and End-of-Year Donations Matter

• Heightened awareness and collective action: Giving Tuesday, positioned after major shopping events like Black Friday and Cyber Monday, leverages the heightened public awareness and a collective mindset toward generosity. It serves as a reminder to shift focus from commercialism to philanthropy, encouraging individuals and organizations to contribute to societal betterment.

• Year-end tax incentives: For many donors, especially in the United States, year-end giving is influenced by the tax deductions available for charitable contributions. Donors are more inclined to give before the year ends to ensure their eligibility for tax benefits in that fiscal year.

• Nonprofit financial planning: Many nonprofits rely on end-of-year donations for budgeting and planning their activities for the upcoming year. This period often accounts for a significant portion of their annual fundraising, enabling them to forecast and allocate resources more effectively.

• Fulfilling increased holiday needs: The holiday season often brings about an increased demand for services from nonprofits, especially those involved in providing food, shelter, and holiday-specific assistance. End-of-year donations can be critical in meeting these expanded needs.

• End-of-year generosity: The spirit of giving and gratitude that often accompanies the holiday season can inspire more generous donations. People are generally more inclined to give during this time, reflecting on the good aspects of the year and wanting to give back.

• Leveraging corporate matching and grants: Many companies offer matching gift programs or special grants during the end-of-year giving season. This can effectively double the impact of individual donations, providing an added incentive for donors.

• Building community and solidarity: Giving events in the holiday season often foster a sense of community and collective effort. They bring together individuals, businesses, and nonprofits in a shared mission of supporting important causes and creating impactful local change.

How Crisis House Leverages End-of-Year Donations

• Supporting domestic violence survivors: Here at Crisis House, we provide essential services like emergency shelter, counseling, legal aid, and support groups for survivors of domestic violence. Donations during Giving Tuesday and year-end significantly enhance our capacity to offer these lifesaving services.

• Aiding those experiencing homelessness: In tackling homelessness, Crisis House offers emergency housing, food assistance, and job training programs. Donations help sustain these programs, ensuring that individuals and families in need receive the support to rebuild their lives.

• Making a tangible impact: Every dollar donated to Crisis House translates into direct support for those in dire need, such as a night of safe shelter for a domestic violence survivor or job training for an individual experiencing homelessness.

Support Crisis House This Holiday Season

This season, your contribution to Crisis House can make a significant difference in the lives of many. Whether it’s a monetary donation, volunteering time, or spreading awareness, every effort counts. Let’s come together through the end-of-year giving season to empower those in need and build up our local community!

How to Contribute

• Donate online: Make a secure monetary contribution.

• Monthly giving: Monthly giving is especially impactful as it provides a steady, predictable source of income, ensuring long-term sustainability and enabling us to plan more effectively for ongoing and future initiatives.

• Become a sponsor: Sponsor women and children’s journeys to self-sufficiency, our local Camp HOPE program that helps youth exposed to trauma and domestic violence find pathways to hope and healing, and other year-round initiatives that combat homelessness and domestic violence.

• Donate items from Crisis House’s Amazon Wishlist: Help us purchase necessary items for our programs with the convenience of online shopping.

• Planned giving: Planned giving refers to the transfer of assets to a designated nonprofit during a lifetime or as part of an estate plan. This forward-thinking approach to giving is “planned” because often these assets are not liquid, have tax consequences, and are generally transferred via a will or other written means.

• Volunteer: Offer your time and skills to support our various programs.

• Spread the word: Share information about Crisis House and its initiatives with your network.

Giving Tuesday and end-of-year donations are more than just annual rituals; they are opportunities to promote real change in our communities. By supporting organizations like Crisis House, we can help provide a lifeline to those battling domestic violence and homelessness. This holiday season, let’s embrace the spirit of giving and make a lasting impact on the lives of those who need it most.

At Crisis House, we are here during these stressful times to support families with our services and resources. We’re leaders in critical services in East County, San Diego, providing crisis intervention, transitional and permanent housing, and services for families and children fleeing domestic violence.

See our impact and help us reach those in need by donating or volunteering today! You can also sign up for our newsletter to stay in the loop as we work to connect families, children, and individuals to crucial resources. Together, we can empower people to renew their lives!