Dear John,

Today is considered a worldwide day of philanthropy - one complete with? popular hashtags and the support of huge global corporations and enormous foundations. #GivingTuesday originated as a counteraction to Black Friday and Cyber Monday - a centralized push to contribute to charity in the wake of great consumerism. Since its inception, the movement has grown significantly. In 2012, #GivingTuesday raised at least $10 million for nonprofit organizations - in 2020 that number grew to $2.4 billion. This investment in philanthropy is phenomenal and we have an opportunity to do even better.

To build sustaining support, giving must not be transactional. Nonprofit organizations that seek to undo damage done by systemic failure are not charity but a necessary part of eliminating inequity sustained by the unequal distribution of wealth. Additionally, nonprofit organizations must build real relationships with donors because it is essential that they value the same desired outcomes and the willingness to undo the root causes. Lastly, culture shift drives policy change, and when donors are advocates for change, we see movement.

So please, yes! Give generously on #GivingTuesday! Please use the hashtag and celebrate the nonprofits you support. You are their champions!

Community support - volunteerism, activism, and financial contributions - is imperative in the nonprofit sector. The Texas Campaign upholds those values on #GivingTuesday. We value collaboration as one of the four core strategies we employ to achieve our goals. So even while we reflect on the challenges of our sector, and how we can be better bridge-builders, we rely on our partners to sustain it.?

To achieve a better tomorrow, we must take responsibility for making change today. We commit to engaging you all year long, to asking your opinions, to sharing our data, to inviting your participation, and to showcasing the impact of our collective accomplishments. We consider you a partner in this work, and value your contribution.

In gratitude,

Julia Kranzthor, Development Director