GivingTuesdayNow is today asking the public to show gratitude for workers, organisations and people who are supporting them during the current crisis, and to donate to charity if they can.
GivingTuesdayNow is an extra day of global giving launched by Giving Tuesday in response to the coronavirus emergency. In the UK, Giving Tuesday is organised by the Charities Aid Foundation (CAF).
The organisation is encouraging people to share messages on social media and place a heart in their front window to thank those who are supporting them through the crisis, from NHS to charities to friends and family.
Charities, businesses and individuals can take part. A social media toolkit is available from Giving Tuesday’s website.
Match-funding platform The Big Give has extended its match-funding commitment to the National Emergencies Trust until the end of today for #GivingTuesdayNow.
Gráinne Mathews, UK's #GivingTuesdayNow lead, said: “The Charities Aid Foundation is proud to lead #GivingTuesdayNow here in the UK and to join wholeheartedly in this celebration of the people and organisations helping us through such dark days.
“This special event on Tuesday 5 May is an excellent opportunity to think once again about supporting a charity close to your heart, as so many are struggling to help those need amid this crisis.
“The incredible range of partners who have joined with CAF in pulling together this special #GivingTuesdayNow demonstrate the commitment to supporting the UK’s charities as they work so hard for our communities. We are so grateful for their continued support.”
Together with The Big Give, CAF's GivingTuesdayNow partners include Marie Curie, the Chartered Institute of Fundraising, NCVO, RBS, PayPal, SalesForce and Porter Novelli.
Giving Tuesday is a US-born initiative that is usually held on the Tuesday after Thanksgiving, in response to the consumerism of Black Friday and Cyber Monday. In 2019, more than £14m was donated to charity on Giving Tuesday in the UK and more than 3,000 charities took part.
Charities taking part
This morning charities have used social media to thank their staff and supporters.
Sue Ryder wrote on Twitter: “On #GivingTuesdayNow we want to say a massive thank you to everyone who has supported us over the last few weeks, whether that's fundraising for us, sending uplifting messages, or clapping for our carers, we really appreciate it. It makes such a difference.”
Mind wrote: “#GivingTuesdayNow is an opportunity for us to all to give thanks for the outpouring of compassion we've seen during this crisis. To everyone who has given to our appeal, helping us to continue to support people with mental health problems - thank you.”
British Heart Foundation said: “Today we want to take the opportunity to say a massive thank you to all front line staff and key workers right across the UK. We also want thank our amazing cardiac nurses who have been giving much needed support to heart patients via our Heart Helpline.”
The Canal & River Trust has launched its new fundraising appeal in occasion of #GivingTuesdayNow. The appeal is raising money for local waterway-based community charities. Richard Parry, chief executive, announced he will be donating 20% of his salary for three months to the appeal.
He said: “From the community boats giving trips to the disadvantaged or those with disabilities, to the activity centres that provide local children and young people in some of the most deprived parts of the country the chance to become active and engaged, what they all have in common is that they carry out their invaluable work on our wonderful waterways. Together I hope we can support them in these uncertain times, so they can resume their vital work once this crisis abates.”
