06 Dec 2024

GivingTuesday 2025: How To Get Involved As A Business

Make a lasting impact this GivingTuesday 2025 with actionable strategies for team building volunteer activities, employee giving campaigns, and inspiring generosity. Celebrate giving as a team.

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GivingTuesday 2025 is a movement that unites individuals, communities, and businesses in a global celebration of generosity. Falling on December 2nd this year, GivingTuesday provides businesses with a unique opportunity to foster positive change, inspire employees, and connect with communities in meaningful ways. Whether it’s through donation drives, team building volunteer activities, or strategic partnerships, there are countless ways your business can take part in this powerful tradition.

In this guide, we’ll explore how your company can leverage GivingTuesday to build a culture of generosity, amplify its impact, and join a global generosity movement.

What is GivingTuesday?

GivingTuesday began in 2012 as a counterbalance to the consumerism of Black Friday and Cyber Monday. It’s a day dedicated to encouraging acts of generosity—whether that’s through donations, volunteer work, or spreading awareness about important causes. Businesses have played a crucial role in its success, using their resources and networks to drive impactful community action.

Why is GivingTuesday important for businesses?

Participating in GivingTuesday benefits businesses in profound ways. Beyond the immediate impact on communities, it strengthens relationships with employees and customers by showcasing a commitment to meaningful action. Here’s how:

Enhancing employee engagement: Employees feel more motivated when they know their workplace supports causes they care about. GivingTuesday provides a platform to align corporate goals with employee values.
Strengthening brand reputation: Businesses known for supporting community action stand out as trustworthy and socially responsible, which resonates with customers.
Building a culture of generosity: By embedding generosity into workplace culture, companies can foster stronger team connections and long-term employee loyalty.

GivingTuesday is a great opportunity for businesses to lead by example and show that they can be a force for good.

1. Start with an employee giving campaign

Kick off GivingTuesday with an employee giving campaign that encourages your team to contribute to causes they’re passionate about. Here’s how:

Set up donation matching: Offer to match employee donations dollar-for-dollar to double the impact and motivate participation.
Highlight specific causes: Curate a list of vetted charities or organisations that align with your company’s values. Provide options for employees to choose from.
Celebrate participation: Recognize top contributors through leaderboards or shoutouts during team meetings.

Example activity: Launch a “Give a Buck” challenge, encouraging employees to contribute just one dollar each month to support a cause of their choice. Engage them by providing real-time updates on the funds raised and the impact they're creating.

2. Create a culture of radical generosity in your workplace

Generosity is contagious, and it starts with leadership. Build a culture of giving that empowers employees to take initiative and inspires them to think creatively about how they can give back.

Host generosity workshops: Invite speakers from local nonprofits or community leaders to talk about the importance of giving and how employees can get involved.
Storytelling campaigns: Share stories of how GivingTuesday has impacted others in the past to inspire participation this year.
Empower employee-led initiatives: Encourage employees to propose their own ideas for giving back, such as organising small group volunteer opportunities or hosting donation drives.

Example activity: Provide employees with a "Giving Toolkit" that includes resources, ideas, and small incentives like “time off to volunteer” vouchers to encourage participation.

3. Organise team building volunteer activities

Nothing strengthens a team like working together to make a difference. Organizing group volunteer opportunities not only creates impact but also boosts camaraderie and morale.

Local clean-up projects: Partner with local environmental organisations to organize a clean-up of parks, beaches, or neighbourhoods.
Skill based volunteering: Use your team’s expertise to support nonprofits—such as offering free marketing advice, building websites, or hosting workshops for their staff.
In-kind contributions: Gather supplies for local shelters or food banks as a team.

Example activity: Create a “Volunteering Day” on GivingTuesday where employees can choose between activities like assembling care packages, mentoring students, or helping at an animal shelter.

Finding the right team building volunteer opportunities can be challenging, especially when trying to align activities with employee skills and company values. Using tools or platforms that curate opportunities and connect you with vetted charities ensures every activity is impactful and well-organized.

4. Partner with charities for impactful giving

Forming partnerships with charities amplifies the impact of your efforts by combining resources and expertise. Look for opportunities to build long-term relationships with nonprofits.

Sponsor community events: Provide funding or resources for events hosted by local charities on GivingTuesday.
Feature charities on your platforms: Use your website and social media channels to highlight charity partners and encourage others to support them.
Collaborate on programs: Work with a charity to co-develop initiatives that address pressing community needs, such as disaster relief or education.

Example activity: Partner with a local children’s charity to host a holiday gift drive, ensuring every child in the community receives a present during the holiday season.

5. Highlight your business’s commitment to giving

Publicly sharing your GivingTuesday initiatives not only boosts employee pride but also inspires others to get involved. Transparency and storytelling can make all the difference.

Share impact stories: Post updates on your website and social media showing how your team contributed to GivingTuesday. Include testimonials and photos.
Celebrate employees’ efforts: Create a video or blog spotlighting the employees who participated in activities, sharing what they did and why it mattered.
Encourage peer sharing: Provide branded templates that employees can use to share their experiences on social media.

Example activity: Create a “Generosity Wall” online where employees can post photos, stories, or messages about what GivingTuesday means to them.

6. Engage customers in your GivingTuesday efforts

Your customers can be powerful allies in your GivingTuesday activities. Engaging them fosters loyalty and amplifies your impact.

Invite customers to donate: Add donation options to your website or checkout process, with proceeds going to a chosen charity.
Create collaborative campaigns: Encourage customers to share their own acts of generosity using a unique hashtag, and feature their stories on your platforms.
Host a community event: Organize a public event, such as a charity walk or fundraiser, and invite customers to participate alongside employees.

Example activity: Consider offering a charity card to your customers as a token of appreciation for their loyalty, allowing them to donate to a cause they care about on GivingTuesday. To amplify the impact, you could match their donation. This small yet meaningful gesture fosters customer loyalty through shared social responsibility.

Final thoughts

GivingTuesday 2025 is your business’s chance to lead with purpose and create a workplace culture that celebrates generosity and inspires community action. Whether you’re organizing team building volunteer activities, starting an employee giving campaign, or partnering with charities, the possibilities are endless.

By taking part in this global generosity movement, your business can not only make an impact but also inspire others to do the same. Small actions, when combined, can create significant change.

FAQs about GivingTuesday 2025

What is GivingTuesday all about?

GivingTuesday is a global movement encouraging generosity, collaboration, and support for causes. It’s celebrated annually on the Tuesday after Thanksgiving.

Why is GivingTuesday important?

GivingTuesday highlights the power of collective action. For businesses, it’s a chance to foster a culture of giving, boost employee engagement, and make a meaningful impact.

When is GivingTuesday celebrated?

GivingTuesday is celebrated on the first Tuesday after Thanksgiving. In 2025, it falls on December 2nd.