Giving Day is approaching, have you chosen an initiative to support yet?

November 29th will be Giving Day , a special date to promote and celebrate generosity. In addition to raising funds for social and environmental causes, having a day with this name on the calendar encourages more people to engage in philanthropy and represents an invitation to unite in combating inequalities.

The more information we share and the greater the empathy we generate, the more we reinforce a culture of giving in society. We encourage the act of giving to become a habit among Brazilians so that we can achieve systemic change. So, while preparations are underway for this great international event of solidarity and love, you can take the opportunity to choose a cause to support and become another member of this transformative movement.

A brief history

Giving Day originated in 2012 in the United States with the simple idea of ​​encouraging people to do good. Americans named the date Giving Tuesday and chose the first Tuesday after Thanksgiving to promote the celebration.

This initiative has become an international movement, officially present in more than 80 countries, including Brazil. The name of the event may vary – for example, Un Día para Dar (A Day to Give) in Argentina and Día de Donar (Day to Donate) in Uruguay – but it always carries the spirit of solidarity.

Giving Day was first held in Brazil in 2013, and the following year, the celebration in our country became part of the global movement. Comparing the last five editions of the Brazilian event, there has been significant growth in the results achieved.

In 2017, donations totaled R$ 678,000, the impact of the campaign on social media reached 16.4 million people, and there were local campaigns in eight cities. In 2021, R$ 2.3 million was donated online (an increase of almost 240%), more than 23 million people were reached through social media with the donation message (a growth of 40%), and 30 community campaigns were mobilized.

This movement is led in Brazil by ABCR (Brazilian Association of Fundraising Professionals) in partnership with the MOL Institute, with the Bem Maior Movement as one of its strategic supporters.

How to get involved

Anyone, group, civil society organization, company, community, or public body can participate in Giving Day – each can carry out their own activities to encourage giving, in whatever way they wish. Those interested can visit the website , access the support materials for free, and start organizing their campaign to celebrate generosity on November 29th.

Giving Day also leads us to reflect on the many different causes that need support in a country like Brazil, with its enormous social injustice. And, amidst a vast sea of ​​complex problems, an online tool – produced by IDIS (Institute for the Development of Social Investment) and the MOL Institute – helps connect those interested in donating with projects: it's the Discover Your Cause , a quick test that suggests paths to follow according to your purpose.

This test includes some fun questions like "If you were to travel back in time, who would you like to have dinner with?", where the answer options are Charles Darwin, Nelson Mandela, Frida Kahlo, Mother Teresa of Calcutta, and Leonardo da Vinci.

Based on your answers, the platform learns a bit about your life philosophy and, in the end, presents causes that match your style, suggesting ways to get involved (such as films or books on the subject), citing personalities who have fought the same battle, and suggesting organizations that work in the same area.

Learn about organizations

If the system identifies, for example, that you are concerned about issues such as hunger, the platform may direct you to the humanitarian organization Sefras (Franciscan Social Action), which deals with this issue and combats human rights violations and the economic and social exclusion of extremely vulnerable populations.

If your style leans towards education and sports, the Gol de Letra Foundation might be interesting to you. Founded by former Brazilian national team players Raí and Leonardo, this foundation serves children and young people, combining educational and social assistance practices with community and family development in São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro.

Those who are more intensely connected to nature may be encouraged to donate to the Sustainable Amazon Foundation (FAS). This civil society organization disseminates and implements knowledge about sustainable development, contributing to the conservation of the Amazon.

Donating helps change the world. Accept the invitation to celebrate generosity on Giving Day, take the Discover Your Cause quiz to learn about important projects that resonate with your story, incorporate giving into your routine, and join this movement for social transformation.

Image Credit: Kelian Pfleger