Believe it or not, Giving Tuesday is right around the corner. This year Giving Tuesday falls on December 3, 2019. Held every year on the Tuesday after Thanksgiving (strategically placed right after Black Friday and Cyber Monday), Giving Tuesday is a way to invite others to help make a difference with their generosity this holiday season.
As a church, you want your congregation to serve others well and love one another deeply. This includes reaching out to those in your community. Giving Tuesday provides you a great platform to do just that.
What is Giving Tuesday?
Giving Tuesday is a global generosity movement to encourage finances, time, goods, donations, and voices rise up for the sake of those in need. The founders of Giving Tuesday ask anyone who is able to choose an organization or group of their choice and pour generosity into that group.
Why Should Your Church Participate?
Scripture tells us in 1 Thessalonians 5:11 to “encourage one another and build each other up.” There are also countless verses that talk about serving one another and becoming the least so that God can be the greatest. Since scripture focuses so much on giving, why not take advantage of another opportunity to pour into your community? Be the hands and feet of the church and the light among the darkness. Don’t worry. We’re not going to leave you hanging with just the idea to “be the light.” Here are some practical ways for your church to get started and participate in this year’s Giving Tuesday.
How to Get Started With Giving Tuesday
Choose What to Support for Giving Tuesday
Churches often fall prey to supporting the same organizations over and over. While that can be beneficial, there are also other groups in your community that need support to make an impact. It also might be a good idea to diversify the groups you support so people don’t get tired of hearing the same plea for the same organization year after year. Here’s a list to kickstart your brainstorming session:
- Nonprofits
- Foundations
- Local businesses
- Higher education
- Schools
- Community campaigns
- Global Activist Groups
- Collaborations
- Individuals
- Faith-based organizations
To learn more, check out givingtuesday.org.
Set Your Church Giving Tuesday Goals
Look at the previous year in your church. How much were you able to give to organizations and groups outside your church? Use this as a baseline to set a new goal for this year’s Giving Tuesday.
Pro tip: As you create your church annual report, be sure to promote a line item for Giving Tuesday 2020 so you can have a Giving Tuesday strategy set in place when the time comes.
Create Appealing Promotions for Giving Tuesday
From preaching from the pulpit to creating Sunday school lessons, create promotions that teach people the value of generosity and partnering with the organization you have chosen for Giving Tuesday. Be sure to include eye-catching graphics on your church website giving page and beyond so you can strategically attract those in your congregation to your cause.
Get Social for Giving Tuesday
Social media can be your best friend when it comes to spreading the word, especially when it comes to getting the word out about organizations outside of your church. Tag the organization in all your posts so people outside your church can easily see the good work you’re doing and participate if they so desire. Scheduling daily posts for Giving Tuesday is also a great way to gain traction.
Need creative ideas for social media posts? Check out Sharefaith’s resources.
Next Steps
Giving Tuesday doesn’t have to be complicated. It can be simple and strategic. Don’t overthink it. Choose an organization and go for it. The team at ShareFaith is comprised of people who have worked in ministry, so we understand where you’re coming from and desire to see you succeed no matter what topic is at hand. That’s why we’re offering an amazing deal on online giving right now, along with a free Guide to Year-End Giving. Check out these amazing tips you can start using right away.
