The Movement to Give

By: Catherine Lucchesi, Director of Communications, I Live Here I Give Here

What is #GivingTuesday?

If you haven’t heard of it yet, #GivingTuesday is a global day of giving that takes place every year the Tuesday after Thanksgiving and the shopping events Black Friday and Cyber Monday. The movement brings people together around service and giving. Started by the 92nd Street Y in 2012, this global movement has spread to 150+ countries and last year alone raised over $300 million for nonprofits. But #GivingTuesday is not just about the dollars – it is about communities joining forces for good!

As I Live Here I Give Here’s Director of Communications and Programming, I have the privilege to serve almost 80,000 people and work with over 700 nonprofits in Austin. Each person I have gotten to know through our mission of giving has a story of what inspired them to give their time and their passion to their community. Many times it is a story of overcoming hardship, but more often it is a story of how one person took the time to help them when they needed it most. Each of us has the power to be that person, and that is what I Live Here I Give Here is hoping to inspire this #GivingTuesday on November 27th.

A Movement of Hundreds

From giving your time, sharing a smile to having a meaningful conversation there are so many ways to be a part of #GivingTuesday. There are currently 100 community campaigns being organized in the US and country-wide campaigns across the globe. If you work at a nonprofit or a business or would simply like to get involved as an individual, the #GivingTuesday website provides tools and resources for anyone who is interested in joining the movement!

And, of course, here in Austin, we have our own unique way of celebrating #GivingTuesday – taking action for good! An action for good can be anything from hosting a food or clothing drive, volunteering with co-workers or family, fostering a pet, visiting a local art museum or spreading the word about giving on social media using #GivingTuesday #ILiveHereIGiveHere. Last year in Austin, families, individuals, and businesses collectively took over 1.6 million actions for good during #GivingTuesday. We believe we can come together next week to take over 2 million actions for good!

Austin Gives Back

So how is I Live Here I Give Here involved? I Live Here I Give Here is a local nonprofit with a mission to make Austin the most generous community in the country and is the #GivingTuesday community leader for Central Texas. We harness the energy and excitement of this global holiday to promote generosity, doing good and monthly giving in Austin. Our organization connects locals to giving and getting involved through our annual programs like #GivingTuesday, Amplify Austin Day, The BIG Give and more. #GivingTuesday offers us, a hyper-local organization, the opportunity to collaborate with giving experts across the globe, share our expertise and learn from others about how we can bring about change in our community.

Why should you give back to your city during #Giving Tuesday? Let’s use Austin as an example. In Austin, our city has been named one of the most economically segregated cities in the country while also being named one of America’s strongest economies. And more than 81% of Austin-area nonprofits report an increase in demand for programs and services over the past year (Mission Capital). That increase is not isolated to our community here in Central Texas.

No matter where you live when social services are increasing in demand, neighbors need to show up, inspire and support each other. Let’s empower each other to change our community. From food to shelter – to the arts and parks – to caring for our children, families, pets, and neighbors, we need to make sure that our local organizations thrive for the benefit of every citizen. We believe in the power of caring and creative nonprofits to narrow economic disparities. And we know that individuals worldwide are ready to step up and help their neighbors. Show the world how generous your community can be this #GivingTuesday!

Follow I Live Here I Give Here on Instagram @AmplifyATX, on Facebook @AmplifyATX, and on Twitter @ILH_IGH to stay up to date on giving trends and getting involved in the Austin community. To see what activities are happening in your area follow the hashtag #GivingTuesday!

About the contributing author: Catherine Luchessi has always had a passion connecting communities, creating movements, and for engaging new demographics through ideas. As Director of Communications and Programming, Catherine focuses on I Live Here I Give Here’s outreach, programs, and develops strategic partnerships. In addition to managing the organization’s programs, like The BIG Give, she also is responsible for I Live Here I Give Here’s development activities, social media content, and brand strategy. You can e-mail Catherine at Catherine@ILiveHereIGiveHere.Org.

Terri Broussard Williams is a proud member of the I Live Here I Give Here Board of Directors. She loves the organization’s mission to help Austin become the most generous city in the country by empowering other non profits. Terri also served as ILHIGH’s See Jane Give Fundraiser Chair in 2017.