With Thanksgiving officially a week away (how could that be?!!) we’re sure you’re feeling more than a little overwhelmed with that holiday To-Do list. Whether hosting the big meal, or playing the guest, it’s hard not to feel some stress around the holidays and all that they can bring, whether dealing with “colorful” family gatherings, gift-giving anxiety, or your quest for holiday perfection.
According to the American Psychological Association, on average 38% of people report that their stress increases during the holidays. While holiday stressors are different for everyone, some stress relievers are universal. You may have heard of the tried and true ways to de-stress, like focusing on the things that make you happy, letting go of imperfection,* and taking time for yourself amongst all of the chaos. But did you know that “giving back” is a great stress reducer too?
It’s been proven that giving is good for you. Not only can giving of your time, energy, and/or money make you feel good emotionally, but it has also been associated with lower blood pressure, less depression, lower stress levels, and greater overall happiness and satisfaction. It can also add another level of meaning, or purpose, to your life – or business.
While giving as an individual is always rewarding, making charitable giving a part of your business’s brand culture can have an even bigger impact on the causes you believe in. Using your position and the platform of your organization to lift up causes and nonprofits you support is a great way to strengthen connections within your community and amongst your employees. In truth, the benefits of charitable giving as a business go far beyond the bottom line.
Giving Back With #GivingTuesday.
We’re all aware of Black Friday and Cyber Monday, but what about Giving Tuesday? If you’re unfamiliar, Giving Tuesday started in 2012 as a simple concept: a day encouraging people to do good. It only took nine years for this simple idea to grow into a “global generosity movement that inspires hundreds of millions of people to give, collaborate, and celebrate generosity.” Celebrated on the Tuesday after Thanksgiving, it offers a chance to donate to a charity or local non-profit organization with the click of a button. Now, thanks to social media, so many worthy causes have a chance to raise awareness about their cause and fundraise on a massive scale.
At insight180 we’re no strangers to #GivingTuesday campaigns. We’ve worked with several clients who rely on the fundraiser as part of their annual budget. If you’re a nonprofit considering a Giving Tuesday campaign for the first time, the most important thing you can do is to get the word out to your community early. Share your intentions to participate on social media and educate your followers on how they can help. Recruit social ambassadors and ask them to spread the word about your cause and share your fundraiser on the day of. The Giving Tuesday website even has free unbranded graphics you can share through social media to “stop the scroll” and grab the attention of your audience.
While only charities and nonprofits are eligible for a Giving Tuesday campaign, it’s still a great movement for other for-profit companies to be a part of. When businesses give back, people notice. That’s the real bottom line. Interested in making a difference in the world? Make #GivingTuesday contributions part of your culture annually.
#GivingTuesday Campaigns We’re Following.
Here are some of our past and present clients participating in #GivingTuesday on November 29, 2022.
Children’s Scholarship Fund of Baltimore
Children’s Scholarship Fund Baltimore (CSFB) is a privately funded organization providing partial scholarships to low-income families in Baltimore City, helping them afford the cost of tuition at the private K-8 school of their choice. This year CSFB has set a Giving Tuesday fundraising goal of $10,000, which, if met, will be enough to provide scholarships to five students. Read more about the CSFB mission here.
Glen Mar United Methodist Church
Glen Mar United Methodist Church’s (GMUMC) mission statement is “Praising God. Growing Disciples. Serving the World.” And with a successful Giving Tuesday campaign, they hope to do more good for their congregation, community, and beyond. Read more about GMUMC here.
Howard County EcoWorks
The mission of Howard County EcoWorks is to empower communities and diverse workforces to respect and restore our natural ecosystems for future generations. Through collaboration, they educate and create innovative solutions, partnerships, and a skilled workforce to support resilient communities. Read more about HoCo EcoWorks here.
Prologue Inc.
We’ve been working with Prologue Inc. for 15+ years and we love hearing about all of the good work they do. Their mission is to create opportunities for those with behavioral health needs and those experiencing homelessness by promoting positive change and offering person-centered support in recovery. Read more about Prologue here.
Columbia Community Care
Columbia Community Care is a Howard County foodbank and one of the organizations supported by our client, Conscious Capitalism of Central Maryland. The Mission of Columbia Community Care is to provide resources, services, and programs to students and families in Howard County. Read more about their mission here.
Sobar
We had the pleasure of designing the Sobar logo a few years ago and we’re happy to see how much exposure they’ve gotten recently. Their mission is to encourage choice in celebrations by providing a variety of sophisticated non-alcoholic beverages to consumers and hosting alcohol-free bars and events. Read more about Sobar here.
This Giving Tuesday, November 29 (the Tuesday after Thanksgiving), we encourage you to join in on this amazing generosity movement and give back to a cause you care about.
— The insight180 Team
