Chances are, your email inbox has been inundated lately with a slew of Giving Tuesday appeals.
In the eight years since this national day of philanthropy made its debut, Giving Tuesday has snowballed into the biggest day of the year for online giving.
Nonprofits large and small are hoping to receive your charitable donations on this global day of philanthropy, which always falls on the Tuesday after Thanksgiving.
And it’s not just cash gifts that are welcomed. Acts of kindness are also encouraged.
That’s what motivated Lauren Turos, an 11-year-old at Sts. Robert & William School in Euclid, to put up an outdoor Giving Tree and to decorate it with hats, gloves and scarves that are free to anyone for the taking.
“This was Lauren’s idea,” explained her mom, Pam Turos. “I asked her about any kindness project she wanted to do and she had seen something similar done at church and school.” Lauren’s tree is set up at The Green House, 20150 Lakeshore Ave. Euclid, for those who would like to contribute items or who are in need of them.
Lauren is a spokesgirl for the Cleveland Kindness Challenge, a project of Giving Tuesday CLE, which encourages Northeast Ohioans to do an act of kindness or donate money to a local nonprofit through Dec. 15. More details at givingtuesdaycle.com
A diverse collection of Northeast Ohio nonprofits -- arts, environmental and educational organizations, and social service programs serving young and old -- are all vying for the attention of would-be donors today. Here is a just a slice of the many local groups that have launched Giving Tuesday fundraising campaigns:
- Starting Tuesday, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame is presenting “Rock Your Giving Week,” with music lessons and educational sessions available on Youtube for a donation.
- Facebook will match Giving Tuesday donations to The Cleveland Foundry, which teaches local youth how to row and sail. Details available on the Foundry’s Facebook page.
- On Tuesday only, Northeast Ohio Coalition for the Homeless is offering a 100% match for donations.
- Eliza Bryant Center, a nursing home established more than a century ago in Cleveland’s Hough neighborhood to serve elderly African-Americans, is asking for community support to continue its essential work during the pandemic. Click here to donate.
- Cleveland School of Ballet, which is performing The Nutcracker at Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens on Dec. 6, is seeking donations to help it weather this period of economic uncertainty for arts organizations. Click here to contribute.