The Ultimate Guide to Giving Tuesday: How One Day Sparks a World of Good

We are excited to share this guide designed to help you understand what Giving Tuesday is, why it matters, and how it continues to grow as one of the most influential days of generosity each year. This guide explores when Giving Tuesday 2025 happens and how this worldwide movement strengthens nonprofits and the communities they support. Giving Tuesday has become a cherished global moment that inspires people everywhere to give, share, and uplift others through meaningful acts of kindness. It reflects the very heart of our mission at The Confetti Foundation, where we work to bring happiness, hope, and a sense of normalcy to children spending their birthdays in hospitals. Here you’ll discover what makes Giving Tuesday so impactful, how it fuels the work of organizations like ours, and how you can be part of the generosity that brings comfort and celebration to families when they need it most.

🌍 WHAT IS GIVING TUESDAY?

Giving Tuesday is a Global Day of Generosity celebrated each year on the Tuesday after Thanksgiving, a moment when people around the world come together to give, share, and spread kindness. In 2025, Giving Tuesday falls on December 2, a day dedicated to reminding us that generosity has the power to connect and uplift communities everywhere.

What began as a simple idea to encourage people to give back after the shopping rush of Black Friday and Cyber Monday has grown into a worldwide movement of kindness. It’s a reminder that generosity doesn’t have to be big to be meaningful. At The Confetti Foundation, this day holds special importance because every donation, large or small, helps us bring happiness and a sense of normalcy to children celebrating their birthdays in hospitals.

🎈 WHERE DID GIVING TUESDAY BEGIN?

Giving Tuesday started in 2012 at the 92nd Street Y in New York City as a way to inspire charitable giving and community impact. Since then, it has grown into a global celebration of kindness, generosity, and hope….three values at the heart of everything we do at The Confetti Foundation.

💛 HOW TO FIND A CHARITY TO GIVE TO

Finding a charity that aligns with your values is the heart of what makes Giving Tuesday so meaningful. The most rewarding donations come from supporting causes that reflect what you care about most. Whether that’s bringing joy to children, protecting the environment, helping animals, helping Veterans, or uplifting local communities. When choosing where to give, look for organizations that are transparent about how donations are used and have a mission that feels personal to you. We recommend looking at Guide Star to see details of the charity you have selected to give to.

At The Confetti Foundation, we believe in the power of happiness, laughter, and human connection. Each $50 donation helps us create and ship a themed birthday party box to a hospitalized child, complete with decorations, handmade cards, and thoughtful gifts that turn a hospital room into a celebration. Your contribution doesn’t just fund supplies, it delivers smiles, hope, and a sense of normalcy to children and families who need it most.

🧾 WHAT IS A CHARITABLE TAX DEDUCTION?

When you make a donation to a registered nonprofit organization, that contribution may qualify as a charitable tax deduction, meaning you can subtract the amount you give from your taxable income when filing your annual taxes. This reduces the total income the government taxes you on, which can lower the amount you owe or increase your refund.

For example, if you donate $100 to a qualified nonprofit like The Confetti Foundation and you itemize deductions on your tax return, you can report that donation as a deductible expense. It’s the government’s way of recognizing and rewarding generosity, allowing you to support causes you care about while also receiving a financial benefit.

📄 WHAT TO DO WITH YOUR TAX DEDUCTION LETTER

After donating, keep your donation receipt or acknowledgment letter in a safe place. You’ll need it when filing your federal taxes to confirm your charitable gift. It’s a simple way to make sure your giving continues to give back. You will give this to your bookkeeper/accountant.

🎉 WHY GIVING TUESDAY MATTERS TO CHARITIES

For nonprofits like The Confetti Foundation, Giving Tuesday is much more than a single day of donations; it’s a lifeline that fuels our mission all year long. The awareness and generosity sparked on this day often help charities reach their annual goals, fund new programs, and continue serving their communities well beyond the holiday season. Many organizations rely on Giving Tuesday to offset the rising costs of supplies, shipping, and outreach that keep their work possible.

👧 HOW TO GET KIDS INVOLVED IN GIVING TUESDAY

Giving Tuesday is a wonderful opportunity to teach children that generosity can be both joyful and creative. It’s a day when families can come together to show that kindness isn’t just something adults do, it’s something kids can lead, too. Start by talking with your children about what it means to give, then let them help choose a cause that excites them. When they feel ownership over their giving, it becomes a powerful life lesson that lasts far beyond the holiday season.

Simple acts show children that giving doesn’t have to be complicated; it can be fun, creative, and full of heart. When kids see that something they made or organized helps others, they experience the true magic of giving: understanding that small actions, when done with love, can make a big difference in the world. The Confetti Foundation has many ways kids can give back!

💕 WHAT IF I DON’T HAVE MONEY TO GIVE?

Generosity isn’t measured in dollars; it’s measured in heart. You can support causes you care about by volunteering your time, sharing their mission on social media, or organizing a local fundraiser. Even the smallest act of kindness can ripple outward in powerful ways. Consider sharing a post on The Confetti Foundation’s Instagram page.

🎁 HOW MUCH SHOULD I GIVE ON GIVING TUESDAY?

There’s no “right” amount to give. Whether you donate $5 or $5000, what matters most is the intention behind your gift. Every contribution helps spread joy and fuels missions that bring comfort and happiness to those who need it most. A $50 donation supplies one birthday party; a $3500 donation will sponsor one hospital with a year’s worth of celebrations!

💸 I SPENT All MY MONEY ON BLACK FRIDAY…NOW WHAT?

If your wallet’s feeling light after the holiday sales, you can still participate in Giving Tuesday! Share posts from your favorite nonprofits, invite friends to donate, or create a small fundraiser. Awareness is one of the most valuable gifts you can give.

🧒 HOW TO TEACH KIDS ABOUT GIVING TUESDAY

Start by keeping the conversation simple and heart-centered. Children naturally understand kindness, so begin by asking questions that help them connect giving to feelings they already know. Try prompts like, “How do you feel when someone shares with you?” or “Can you think of a time when you made someone smile?” This helps them see that giving isn’t just about money, it’s about caring for others.

You can also connect the idea of Giving Tuesday to everyday experiences. For example, say, “Some kids have to spend their birthdays in the hospital. What are some ways we could make their day feel special?” or “If you could share happiness with someone you’ve never met, what would you do?” These questions encourage empathy and imagination.

Then, offer age-appropriate ways to take action together, making cards, collecting supplies, or setting aside part of their allowance for charity. The key is to make giving feel joyful and achievable. When kids see generosity modeled at home and are invited to participate in it, they begin to understand that kindness isn’t just something we feel, it’s something we do.

🕊 WHO CELEBRATES GIVING TUESDAY?

Giving Tuesday is for everyone, individuals, families, schools, and businesses across the globe! It’s a reminder that when we come together in generosity, we create a world filled with connection and hope.

💼 HOW CAN BUSINESSES GET INVOLVED?

Businesses can make a powerful impact by hosting donation drives, matching employee gifts, or sponsoring nonprofit initiatives. Corporate giving not only strengthens communities but also builds workplace culture around purpose and compassion.

🌟 FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT GIVING TUESDAY

When is Giving Tuesday 2025?
Giving Tuesday 2025 will take place on December 2.

Is Giving Tuesday just about donating money?
No! It’s about giving your time, your voice, or your talents to make the world a little brighter.

Can kids participate in Giving Tuesday?
Absolutely. It’s a wonderful way to teach kids about kindness and gratitude through hands-on giving.

Are Giving Tuesday donations tax-deductible?
Yes, if given to a registered nonprofit like The Confetti Foundation. Save your donation letter for your records.

How can I support The Confetti Foundation on Giving Tuesday?
You can make a donation, host a supply drive, or volunteer to help us deliver birthday magic to children across the country.

🎈 MAKE EVERY DAY A DAY OF GIVING

Giving Tuesday reminds us that generosity has no limits. Whether you give your time, your voice, or your resources, you’re part of something bigger, a community of kindness that changes lives.

At The Confetti Foundation, every act of giving helps us deliver birthday boxes filled with decorations, smiles, and love to children celebrating in hospitals. Together, we can make sure no child ever feels forgotten on their special day.

Let’s make this Giving Tuesday, and every day, a celebration of love, laughter, and hope!