Giving Tuesday - Transforming the World through generosity
- Misha Smith
- Nov 2
- 2 min read
Nora Paech
Idaho Falls
If there is one thing I admire about the United States more than anything, it is the willingness of community members to step up and fill a need where they see one. Having worked for non-profits in both Germany and the U.S., I’ve seen vast differences in civic engagement and charitable giving. While volunteerism rates in the U.S. have declined during Covid-19, they have since rebounded and continue among the highest in the world. The American philanthropy sector, likewise, is unmatched in its scale, reach, and impact.
One example of this culture of giving is Giving Tuesday.
Now in its 13th year, Giving Tuesday was created in 2012 through a partnership between 92nd Street Y and its Belfer Center for Innovation & Social Impact in response to the consumerism of Black Friday and Cyber Monday. The goal was simple: to dedicate a single day to giving back. Whether through donations, volunteering, or acts of kindness, Giving Tuesday encourages individuals to shift the focus from shopping in the holidays season on supporting their communities.
The movement gained rapid momentum through the use of social media and the hashtag #GivingTuesday. Designed from the beginning as an open-source movement allowed Giving Tuesday to spread far beyond the U.S. and turn into a truly global day of generosity observed in over 80 countries, and of course in Idaho.
And so, this article wouldn’t be complete without a shameless plug:
The Idaho Environmental Education Association (IEEA) is an entirely volunteer-run 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to the advancement of environmental education across Idaho. Our mission is to support and promote the efforts of educators working to deepen our understanding of the natural world and our place within it.
This past year, we’ve hosted hands-on field trips for educators, offered grants to support environmental education projects, recognized some outstanding educators in the field of environmental education. With this work we hope to connect communities with Idaho’s diverse natural landscapes.
So, on Giving Tuesday, consider supporting IEEA: become a member, donate, or volunteer your time. When political priorities differ, it’s up to us to make an impact.
More Information: https://www.census.gov/library/stories/2024/11/civic-engagement-and-volunteerism.html
Giving Tuesday 2025: Together We Give: From Grassroots Action to Global Impact, https://issuu.com/givingtues/docs/givingtuesday_strategicplan_2025-2027