Record charitable donations reported for Giving Tuesday

NEW YORK — Giving Tuesday, a 5-year-old phenomenon aimed at encouraging online charitable giving, produced record-shattering donations this week, according to two organizations which tracked the flow of gifts.

The 92nd Street Y in New York City, credited for launching the event in 2012, said Wednesday that contributions reported by organizations in the U.S. and abroad for a 24-hour period total $168 million — up from about $117 million in 2015. It said there were roughly 1.6 million donations, coming from people in nearly 100 countries.

Blackbaud, a software company that serves many nonprofits, reported that it processed $47.7 million in online donations Tuesday for more than 6,700 organizations — a 20 percent increase in giving over last year. It said 22 percent of the donations were made via a mobile device.

In its first year in 2012, under the aegis of the 92nd Street Y, Giving Tuesday generated about $10 million in donations after being pitched as a way to promote charity on the heels of Thanksgiving weekend’s big shopping days. In subsequent years, it has mushroomed into a decentralized global movement, with nonprofits of all types soliciting donations, promoting volunteerism and encouraging acts of kindness.

The 92nd Street Y received detailed reports from many of the organizations it serves. Among them:

• A Baltimore nonprofit called Thread organized a “Love Notes to Baltimore” campaign where residents wrote uplifting messages in chalk on streets.

• Volunteers in Bethel, Alaska, stood in below-zero weather to accept donations for local nonprofits.

• The Humane Society of the United States exceeded its target of $200,000, with a total of $350,000 raised.

• The University of Michigan’s campaign raised $5.5 million in 24 hours, compared to $4.3 million last year.

Numerous progressive organizations, in their Giving Tuesday appeals, made reference to the recent election victories of Donald Trump and congressional Republicans.

“When I look around today, I see how far we’ve come — and how far we have left to go now that Donald Trump has been elected,” said an appeal from Barbara Miller, who serves on the board of the National Organization for Women.

On the right flank, the conservative Media Research Center appealed for donations to help it counter “the liberal media.”

Henry Timms, executive director of the 92nd Street Y and co-founder of Giving Tuesday, said the event’s success was due to “the work of ordinary people all over the country.”

“For all those things that may divide us, we all share a proud tradition of giving,” he said.

More in News

(Juneau Empire file photo)
Aurora forecast through the week of Nov. 10

These forecasts are courtesy of the University of Alaska Fairbanks’ Geophysical Institute… Continue reading

(Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)
Juneau man arrested on suspicion of murdering 1-month-old infant after seven-month investigation

James White, 44, accused of killing child with blunt blow to head in a motel room in April.

A map shows properties within a proposed Local Improvement District whose owners could be charged nearly $8,000 each for the installation of a semi-permanent levee to protect the area from floods. (City and Borough of Juneau map)
Hundreds of property owners in flood zone may have to pay $7,972 apiece for Hesco barrier levee

City, property owners to split $7.83M project cost under plan Juneau Assembly will consider Monday.

Dan Allard (right), a flood fighting expert for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, explains how Hesco barriers function at a table where miniature replicas of the three-foot square and four-foot high barriers are displayed during an open house Thursday evening at Thunder Mountain Middle School to discuss flood prevention options in Juneau. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Residents express deluge of concerns about flood barriers as experts host meetings to offer advice

City, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers say range of protection options are still being evaluated

U.S. Geological Survey geologist Geoffrey Ellis stands on Oct. 29 by a poster diplayed at the University of Alaska Fairbanks that explains how pure hydrogen can be pooled in underground formations. Ellis is the leading USGS expert on geologic hydrogen. He was a featured presenter at a three-day workshop on geologic hydrogen that was held at UAF. (Yereth Rosen/Alaska Beacon)
Alaska scientists and policymakers look to hydrogen as power source of the future

The key to decarbonization may be all around us. Hydrogen, the most… Continue reading

(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)
Police calls for Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2024

This report contains public information from law enforcement and public safety agencies.

Gov. Doug Burgum of North Dakota speaks to reporters at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia in advance of the presidential debate between former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris, Sept. 10, 2024. President-elect Trump has tapped Burgum to lead the Interior Department, leading the new administration’s plans to open federal lands and waters to oil and gas drilling. (Kenny Holston/The New York Times)
Trump nominates governor of North Dakota — not Alaska — to be Interior Secretary

Doug Burgum gets nod from president-elect, leaving speculation about Dunleavy’s future hanging

Maple the dog leads Kerry Lear and Stephanie Allison across the newly completed Kaxdigoowu Heen Dei (also known as the Brotherhood Bridge Trail) over Montana Creek Monday, November 11. (Laurie Craig / Juneau Empire)
Reconnected: New bridge over Montana Creek reopens portion of Kaxdigoowu Heen Dei

People again able to walk a loop on what’s commonly known as the Brotherhood Bridge Trail.

Most Read