I love giving… but not Giving Tuesday.
Confession 1: I love giving. In fact, for the last decade, I’ve argued that the best way to enjoy your life is to give generously.
Confession 2: Giving Tuesday is my least favorite holiday of the whole year.
So why do I have so much angst with a day that’s got “Giving” in the title?
Here’s my issue…
On the first Tuesday after Thanksgiving, every 501c3 on the planet bombards every email address/social media account with a well-meaning plea for funds.
Potential donors (you and me) drown in these messages until the feeling of guilt wins out. We pull out a credit card and make a nominal donation to a charitable organization we know very little about.
It doesn’t move the needle for the organization or for our own sense of peace, joy, or satisfaction.
Here’s a different approach:
- Identify one non-profit that is making a difference on a topic that you (and your family) care deeply about. This might take some trial and error – be patient.
- Contact them and offer to support them with both time and money. Then, commit a full year to this one cause.
- Make sure that the amount of resources you donate is meaningful (some might say painful) to you.
These subtle changes will make a world of difference.
— CJ
