Giving Tuesday! What is it and how can you contribute?

Today, December 1st, is not only the first day of our Christmas calendar, but it's also the international day of giving, Giving Tuesday! Haven't you heard of Giving Tuesday? Or are you wondering how you can contribute? We had a chat with Charlotte Arnø Storebakken at the Norwegian Fundraising Council. She tells you everything you need to know!

With the joy of giving in focus

- First and foremost, can you tell us a little about what you do at the Norwegian Fundraising Council?  

- It should be safe to give money to Norwegian organizations. That's why we work with training in ethics, among other things. Those who donate money to our organizations should be confident that the money goes where it should," says Charlotte Arnø Storebakken. She is a specialist and project manager at the Norwegian Fundraising Council and head of the Norwegian initiative on Giving Tuesday.   

- We also work with decision-makers to improve the framework conditions in the industry. In addition, we are an important competence network for our members, where we share knowledge and experience with each other.

What exactly is Giving Tuesday?

Giving Tuesday is simply an international day to celebrate generosity and giving. It began in 2012 in the US and has grown into a worldwide network via social media.

Giving Tuesday is not a regular campaign, in the same way as Black Friday, for example. There are no commercial players behind it who pay for advertising or marketing. On the contrary, it's more like a movement," says Charlotte. 

This year, a number of organizations and companies have held digital meetings throughout the autumn to share thoughts and ideas for what to do on Giving Tuesday.

Everyone has something to give!

- What can you give on GivingTuesday?

- Everyone has something to give! You can give your time to someone who needs help, give away things you don't need, volunteer for an organization, donate hair for wigs or make a donation to your favorite charity. 

On the website givingtuesday.no you will find good tips on how you can contribute, either as an individual, organization or company. 

A foothold in Norway

- Giving Tuesday has been big in the US for a while and has gradually grown in the rest of the world. Now it's also starting to gain a foothold in this country. What is the long-term goal for this day in Norway? 

- "The long-term goal is for Giving Tuesday to be bigger than Black Friday," laughs Charlotte, but it's also clear that she means it.

- I respect that people use Black Friday to get a bargain, but if we can mobilize the same enthusiasm to make the world a better place the following Tuesday, then we've really hit the mark. I imagine everyone running around trying to think of something they can do to help each other. 

Charlotte cites the NRK telethon as an example, where the Norwegian people are happy to give.
- I wish that on Giving Tuesday we would open our hearts and wallets for other non-profit causes. 

Your contribution helps!

- Why is fundraising so important for organizations? 

- Giving a donation to an organization makes it possible for them to do their work better, reach out to more people and do more. "We're a generous people in Norway, even during a pandemic like the one we're in now. Some people are having a tougher time financially due to furloughs, but at the same time, it has also become clear to many that the work of the organizations is just as important now with corona - perhaps even more important than before. The organizations are dependent on private contributions in order to carry out their work.

- What do you think about Giving Tuesday and the joy of giving in 2021? 

- 2021 will be the fifth year we celebrate Giving Tuesday. I hope that we will gather all the experiences we have from the first four years to get even more people involved in the celebration.

Want to know more about Giving Tuesday?

Visit givingtuesday.no or innsamlingsradet.no.
Follow Giving Tuesday on Facebook and Instagram and remember to use #givingtuesdaynorge!