#GivingTuesday: 3 Things to Avoid & 3 Creative Alternatives

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Here’s the problem with #GivingTuesday, and it's important that we start here, before we get into some practical and creative ideas. 

Giving Tuesday, a movement started by Carlo Lorenzo Garcia in 2011 and amplified by Henry Timms in 2012, encourages generosity following the frenzy of Black Friday and Cyber Monday. It’s a noble idea—an international call for charitable giving. But as impactful as it’s been (to the tune of $3.1 billion last year), there’s something about it that feels like an afterthought, almost like “crumbs” after the feasts of consumerism. 

It reminds me of the story in the bible where the woman goes and sits at Jesus’ feet begging for a miracle (Matthew 15:21-28). She wanted her daughter to be healed! Jesus’ response is problematic; honestly he isn’t very nice. 

This is my wife's least favorite story and I understand why. In this story, Jesus looks like a jerk.

Yet, the woman faces the rudeness of Jesus and advocates for herself, arguing that “even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their master’s table.” 

In the end, Jesus listens. She’d got her miracle, even in the face of marginalization. 

There’s more to this story than we can unpack here, but I kind of like the fact that there’s a story in the Gospels that lets someone other than Jesus be the hero. This woman, who would have been marginalized and discarded, used her grit and snark to advocate for herself. She was shut down, but nevertheless she persisted.

In a backwards sort of way, the fact that there’s a story like this in a collection of stories mostly about Jesus—the fact that Jesus would let someone else look good at his expense, in a society where that didn’t have to be the case—makes me like Jesus even more. I wonder if that’s the point. (I hope to apply the same backwards engineering in some of my suggestions, so hold onto that.)

The best nonprofits out there are uplifting and empowering people like this woman; people hurting and in need of a miracle, and the best nonprofits know that the people they serve—not their CEO, donors, or staff—are the true heroes of the story. 

If you want to increase giving, stop making your organization the hero of the story. 

The problem is that in the current climate, small nonprofits struggle to stand out in the noisy crowd of GivingTuesday.

Which reminds me of another persistent woman in scripture, who pushed through the crowds to touch Jesus’ cloak (Mark 5:25-34). Sometimes it feels like breaking through the noise is a miracle in itself, especially in the noise of #GivingTuesday. And yet, pushing through the noise can lead to remarkable outcomes. 

It’s no wonder Jesus tells the parable of a persistent woman. Jesus clearly admired women who persisted, and encouraged all of us to do the same.

I know many people who serve nonprofits and churches, and raising the funds to do the work is hard, but don’t give up. Keep going, especially when the systems in this world make it feel like all you are allowed to have are a few crumbs.

Be persistent, and when necessary, use your grit and snark.

If you read nothing else, hold onto that.

So back to GivingTuesday. Below, I’ll share some things to avoid, and a few ideas that you might not have considered already.

Three Things to Avoid

1. Don’t Guilt-Trip Donors

People want to give—they really do. Tactics that rely on guilt, though, often miss the mark because they are rooted in the false narrative that people don’t enjoy giving. Messages that highlight the positive impact of donations are more effective. GivingTuesday’s own Lookback Report confirms this, emphasizing that meaningful messages drive engagement more than guilt:

“Messages around giving out of guilt don’t resonate as much as messages that connect people to a cause or issue and highlight the value of their contributions.” -GivingTuesday Lookback Report

If the story behind the gift feels powerful, people respond out of joy, not obligation.

2. Don’t Overlook “Unexpected” Donors

According to GivingTuesday, certain groups often get overlooked on Giving Tuesday:

1. People Under 30

2. People with lower income (<$50K household)

3. Women who are employed full-time

4. Men under the age of 30

Let me say this, and let me be very clear. Don’t take advantage of people. Period. Rich, poor, white, black, hurting, successful, male or female—don’t take advantage of people. And certainly don’t promise people that by giving something to your church or nonprofit, good will come back to them, as if giving is like buying a lottery ticket from God. It’s not. Giving is the gift. So, with that said, let me also say this, with  equal clarity: don’t look over people either. 

Being asked to make a donation, in America, is a sign of wealth and privilege. It’s seen as an honor, or even a status symbol. People with means want to be asked to give. And if this is true, what does that say about how we view young people, people with lower income, or women? Do you see where I’m going with this? Have we failed to reach out and ask them to give because we don’t think they have anything to offer? If so, what are we really saying here? 

Giving is an act of dignity, and you should never rob someone of that  dignity. 

Please, don’t take advantage of people,  guilt people, or promise people “God’s blessing” to get them to give, but also don’t insult people by leaving them out. 

I know from my own experience that those who have struggled in this world tend to be the most generous, which is backed up by research time and time again. In fact, it’s one of the most significant findings in the global GivingTuesday report from 2022: 

“The most inescapable insight is that although giving cultures vary widely from country to country, we consistently find the most generosity in less wealthy countries (i.e. those with lower Gross National Income per capita)” - GivingTuesday Report.

Inescapable, they said.  Those who have been through it know why giving matters. 

3. Don’t Limit Giving to Money Alone

Not everyone can donate financially, but many can give in other ways. Last year, 32% of GivingTuesday participants contributed through time, goods, or services. In fact, volunteers are often the most loyal supporters, staying engaged even when they can’t give financially, and when other givers back away, those who are volunteering are more likely to stay consistent. Of course they are! They can see the impact your organization is having and they want to make sure it continues. 

If you want someone to give, ask them to volunteer. 

On GivingTuesday, you might include a link to make monetary donations, but also include a sign up to volunteer, commit to pray, make an in-kind donation, or some other way of giving back that isn’t monetary but makes sense for your organization. The more options you provide, the more people you will be able to connect with.

Three Alternatives

If you have a long tradition of GivingTuesday and it usually brings in sufficient donations to make it worth your while, then keep doing it. There’s no need to fix something that isn’t broken. But, if you’re new, small, or if your org goes generally unnoticed, you might try some of these out-of-the-box ideas to grab people’s attention. 

1. Give Something Away

I know it’s a crazy idea, but what if on GivingTuesday you gave something away instead of asking people to give? Generosity inspires generosity. Instead of asking for donations, give something away to stand out from the crowd. I’ve seen this work in a lot of other settings with amazing results. 

Here are some ideas:

• Set up at a laundromat or gas station, paying for services for an hour to surprise and delight those you serve.

• Distribute $5 gift cards around town, inviting people to join in a fun scavenger hunt to find them. You might hide them in places that are significant to your mission or make it a game. 

• Buy coffee for strangers in a café as a gesture of kindness.

• Sponsor a “Free Meal” Day at a Local Restaurant or Diner: Arrange with a local eatery to cover the cost of meals for a set period. This can be particularly meaningful in areas with food insecurity, giving people a warm meal and showing them they’re seen and valued.

• Organize a “Pop-Up Shop” Free Store: Partner with a community center or church to set up a space offering free everyday essentials—such as toiletries, groceries, and winter clothing. Invite people in the community to take what they need, no questions asked.

• Host a Book Giveaway: Set up a table with books outside a school, library, or community center, allowing people to take home a good read. Consider selecting books that align with your mission, this might be especially meaningful if you work in areas of social justice, advocacy, LGBTQ inclusion, ant-racism or similar “banned book” categories.

• Arrange a Free Ride Day for Public Transit or Rideshare: Work with your city’s transit authority or a local rideshare company to cover the cost of rides for people who need a lif—or buy bus passes in bulk and give them away.. This could help individuals without reliable transportation get to work, appointments, or family.

• Provide Free Pet Supplies at a Local Shelter: Partner with an animal shelter or pet supply store to provide free pet food, supplies, or grooming services for a day. This can be especially meaningful for individuals and families who rely on pets for companionship and emotional support.

This “reverse giving” approach could catch the eye of local media, drawing attention to your mission in a positive, fresh way. And at a time when trust in nonprofits is declining, these acts of generosity can foster goodwill and build stronger community bonds.

2. Encourage Donors to Give to Other Nonprofits

There’s nothing that shows your generosity more than encouraging people to give to someone else. This is especially good for churches who want to leverage GivingTuesday. Churches invite people to make a donation every week, so asking them to give on GivingTuesday can give the wrong impression, and only further perpetuate the idea that “all churches want are our money.” Instead, share some of the nonprofits you’d like them to support.

Here are some ideas: 

• Highlight organizations that align with your mission, showing how a donation to these groups strengthens a shared vision. You can post personalized stories or anecdotes about each recommended nonprofit to make the suggestion feel intentional.

• Work with other nonprofits to create a nonprofit trail or hop. You can create a map and those who visit all the locations along the nonprofit trail will get a free t-shirt or something similar. Each stop can include a brief explanation of the mission and give people a chance to learn more about important ministries. There can be a QR code at each location as well, for people to use to give. 

• A similar idea could be used with bars or restaurants. Organize a pizza or beer crawl, and at each location, have one of the nonprofits you’re supporting set up to share about their work. Include brochures and a QR code to give, and if you can, get the restaurant to give a portion of the proceeds to the nonprofit located there. It will drive business, raise awareness, and build community. If you make it a fun competition, it could have an increased impact.

• Feature a different nonprofit partner daily leading up to Giving Tuesday, showcasing a culture of generosity and community support.

This approach not only broadens support for other nonprofits but also reinforces your organization’s commitment to giving back, which can be especially meaningful to your supporters. Generous people want to give to organizations that model their values.

3. Create Your Own Giving Holiday

I was having lunch with the director of a small nonprofit on the Westside of Columbus. I told him I was going to write this article on GivingTuesday and asked if he was planning anything. He laughed, and said “the only way I’d do GivingTuesday is if I did it the day before.” 

He went on to explain how crowded that day is and how his little nonprofit can’t compete with the giant national orgs grabbing people’s attention. The best part of that conversation was that he almost apologized for this “radical” idea, as if it would make my article I was writing irrelevant. 

He didn't know that I had already written on two ideas more radical than this—one of which he ended up using!

If Giving Tuesday feels too crowded, why not start your own day of giving? A unique giving holiday can make a lasting impact and build excitement around your mission. I feel like this idea could be similar to “Christmas in July.” You could still have it on a Tuesday, but hold it in May instead. Or find another month, and hold it on a different day. 

To make this happen, here are some ideas you can consider:

1. Define the Purpose and Theme: Choose a meaningful angle that sets your giving day apart.

2. Pick a Strategic Date: Avoid crowded periods and consider linking your holiday to an organizational milestone or month/holiday that aligns with your mission.

3. Promote in Advance: Generate excitement with a countdown and social media teasers to build momentum.

Creating a memorable and purpose-driven holiday can foster a strong sense of connection and community among supporters, turning a single event into an annual tradition. 

Final Thoughts

Rethinking Giving Tuesday can help break through the noise and turn a one-day “ask” into a moment of authentic, impactful connection. Whether it’s by surprising people with generosity, supporting other nonprofits, or crafting your own giving tradition, you can make Giving Tuesday a true reflection of your values—inviting people to join you in a mission of meaningful change.

Tell Better Stories

Growing up, I could never figure out what I wanted to be.

I could honestly imagine myself as a lawyer, bartender, gas station attendant, pilot, pastor, or something else entirely. With each job, there was something that intrigued me! I could imagine myself going to work every day to sell people gas and cigarettes. It would be fascinating! Whenever I watch a movie about a lawyer, I think, “I could do that.” In college, I planned to be a pilot until I found flying small planes made me want to throw up.

With time, I learned that what intrigued me about these positions had little to do with what I should do with my life and more to do with my love of stories. I’m fascinated with these professions like an author is fascinated by their characters’ lives. Even the most boring of characters—or the most evil—are deeply loved by their authors. If they aren’t, the character will fall flat. Good characters are loved with a courageous curiosity. Authors want to know what makes them get out of bed every day. What do they worry about? What are they most afraid of? Why do they do what they do? These questions are at the heart of great stories and I love great stories.

If the story is good, you’ll forget where you are, about the laundry you need to do, or that your feet are sticking to the floor of the theater.

Stories transport us.

Storytelling is one of the few human traits that is truly universal through all of culture and known history.

We had stories before we had IMAX theaters and novels.

We had stories before we had paper to write them down.

It’s what makes us human. Apes might have opposable thumbs and be able to use tools, but humans alone have the gift of storytelling.

We love comedians because they are actually some of the best storytellers out there.

We have an obsession with storytelling because, in all the changes we’ve seen in society, storytelling remains the most effective way to make sense of our world, cast a vision for new ideas, and provide comfort and distractions from the tediousness of life.

It’s because of this that telling better stories remains the most important thing you can do to improve your quality of life, connection with other humans, and effectiveness in nearly every corner of the job market.

Finding A Writing Community

I have the privilege of serving as the President of the Ohio Writers’ Association (OWA) since it transitioned from an LLC to a nonprofit. I’m not the best writer, by any stretch of the imagination, and I’ve only had a few fiction short stories published up to this point. That’s what I love about OWA. You don't have to be great to get involved. It’s more about what you will get out of it than what you’re expected to put into it. This community of writers continues to inspire and challenge me to be the best writer I can be.

Along with being a part of OWA, I serve as the pastor of Cityview Church. Most weeks, you’ll find me up front sharing a message. If I struggle to write as much fiction as I want, it’s because most weeks I’m writing 3000-4000 words in a sermon. When interacting with people outside the church, I’ll often say I spend a lot of time writing “creative nonfiction,” but that’s just my way of making sermons sound cooler than they are.

Whether as a writer, public speaker, or leader, I find knowing how to share stories is essential. This is true for a manager of staff or serving as a board member; every part of life and leadership requires stories, because stories are our primary way of connecting, relating, and making sense of our world.

In business and organizations, you might have a mission statement, but it’s stories that help people see what your mission looks like with clothes on. Whether it’s fundraising, volunteer recruitment, asking for help, or anything else, being able to craft a simple story that draws people in makes the difference between connecting with a potential audience and not.

Most of what I’m sharing here I’ve learned from other people, whether it be professional writers or peers offering advice in a monthly critique. I doubt I’ll be offering anything original, but I think the following tips and tricks represent some of the best practices I’ve learned for storytelling. For some, this might be brand new, and for many others, I hope this will be a helpful reminder.

While I use these principles for both writing, speaking, and leadership—whether I’m writing science fiction, preaching, or casting vision—it’s possible some tips might lend themselves to one form more than the other. Wherever you use storytelling, here are eight tips I’ve picked up that have helped me tell better stories…

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You can continue reading on my eBook Tell Better Stories, a free gift to anyone who subscribes to my email list.