Giving Tuesday: A fundraising Opportunity for Your Parish Dec 3rd, 2024
Every year, on the first Tuesday after Thanksgiving, communities around the world come together for a day of generosity known as Giving Tuesday. Launched in 2012 as a global movement to inspire charitable giving, Giving Tuesday has grown into one of the largest philanthropic events of the year. It’s a day when people are ready and eager to make a difference, and it presents an incredible opportunity for your parish to engage and raise funds for important projects.
Giving Tuesday encourages people to give a one-time gift to causes that matter. For parishes, this is a unique moment to connect with parishioners who want to give back, especially after the Thanksgiving holiday.
How Your Parish Can Take Advantage of Giving Tuesday
This year, your parish can join this global movement by focusing on a special project that will enhance the life of the parish. Whether it’s renovating a well-loved space, upgrading technology for ministry, or supporting a new outreach initiative, Giving Tuesday provides a platform for your parish to rally the community behind a meaningful cause.
Setting a Reasonable Goal and Choosing the Right Project
One of the keys to a successful Giving Tuesday campaign is selecting a realistic goal and project. When choosing a project, consider something that is attainable and will visibly enhance your parish. Here are a few ideas:
Repainting or updating a common area, like the parish hall or classrooms
Purchasing new liturgical items to enhance the worship experience
Supporting a parish ministry, for example, filling up your food pantry for the winter
A realistic goal for Giving Tuesday is crucial to motivate parishioners and ensure a successful campaign. Over the last few years, parishes that have actively promoted their Giving Tuesday campaigns have been able to raise between $2,000 and $10,000. Aim for a goal that resonates with your parishioners and is achievable on this single day of giving. It’s often better to set a modest goal and exceed it than to aim too high and miss the mark.
The Archdiocese of Baltimore's Giving Tuesday Platform
The Archdiocese of Baltimore has a special Giving Tuesday platform to make it easier for parishes to participate. Parishioners can give directly to your project by visiting our dedicated
Giving Tuesday page: https://www.givecentral.org/leaderboard/GivingTuesdayAoB
And selecting your parish from the dropdown menu.
This platform will streamline the giving process, making it simple and convenient for parishioners to contribute.
All gifts will be sent directly to the parish in full, minus any credit card processing fees. The platform also features a leaderboard, allowing parishes to track their progress in real-time and see how fundraising is going throughout the day.
Each Parish has a dedicated Giving Tuesday Page
Additionally, each parish has its own special Giving Tuesday page, where you can share more details about your project and inspire your parishioners to give. This is a great way to personalize your campaign and keep everyone engaged.
To make changes to your Giving Tuesday Donation page and set your goal, contact Ravi Pollard at Ravi.Pollard@archbalt.org
Resources to Promote Giving Tuesday
We also have the resources you need to effectively promote Giving Tuesday at your parish. To view these resources, Visit: https://www.advancingourmission.org/givingtuesday
Email Templates: Pre-written emails for each stage of your campaign—pre-announcement, day-of, and post-event thank-you messages—are available for download.
Bulletin Announcement: An announcement ready for inclusion in your parish bulletin.
Social Media Posts: Engage your online community with 2 social media posts.
Pulpit Announcement: A script for an announcement during Mass.
Giving Page Link: A direct link to the Archdiocese's Giving Tuesday website.
QR Code: This QR Code links directly to the Giving Tuesday page where you can make your donation.
Here are the steps to launch a successful Giving Tuesday campaign for your parish:
1. Choose a Project: Select a project that will have a meaningful impact on your parish. Whether it’s enhancing a community space, supporting a ministry, or upgrading parish resources, choose something that resonates with parishioners and aligns with your parish's mission.
Download Resources and Make Edits: Visit https://www.advancingourmission.org/givingtuesday to access promotional materials, including email templates, social media posts, bulletin announcements, and more. Personalize these resources to fit your parish’s unique voice and project goals.
3. Let Us Know if You Need Changes to the Giving Page: If your parish’s Giving Tuesday page needs specific updates or goal adjustments, contact Ravi Pollard at Ravi.Pollard@archbalt.org. Our team is here to help ensure your page is ready to engage your parishioners effectively.
4. Communicate with Your Parishioners About Giving Tuesday: Use the resources to share the Giving Tuesday link in all parish communications, from emails and social media to bulletins. Encourage parishioners to visit the page to make their gift, and highlight the leaderboard to show your parish’s progress throughout the day, building momentum and excitement.
And remember, Kim Montgomery and Mark Talcott are available to assist you with any questions or guidance you might need as you plan your parish’s Giving Tuesday campaign. Feel free to give us a call or send an email – we’re here to help!
Kim Montgomery
Chief Advancement Officer
443-263-1920
Mark Talcott
Sr. Director of Philanthropy
410.547.5554
