Giving Tuesday: Helping Children Worldwide
Support UNICEF on Giving Tuesday to help enhance the lives and safeguard the rights of children around the world.
What is Giving Tuesday?
Giving Tuesday — the Tuesday after Thanksgiving — is an annual day of generosity that inspires people to give, whether that means making a donation to a favorite charity, volunteering their time for a worthy cause or performing acts of kindness big and small.
Recognized globally, Giving Tuesday leads millions of people to act in ways that make a difference. For UNICEF USA, it is a vital opportunity to increase support for UNICEF programs in education, health, protection and more, and for UNICEF emergency response.
When is Giving Tuesday 2026?
In 2026, Giving Tuesday falls on Dec. 1. Early donations and fundraisers can begin weeks before the official day.
How to get ready for Giving Tuesday
Here are a few ways to prepare to support UNICEF this Giving Tuesday:
- set up a UNICEF fundraiser — which can be done advance, so that your family and friends have time to support it
- share a story on social media to inspire others — explaining the reason for supporting UNICEF and why others should support UNICEF too
- explore matching gift opportunities from employers — many offer donation matching; a company's human resources department will have more information on how to magnify the impact of your Giving Tuesday donation in this way
How did Giving Tuesday start?
Launched in 2012, Giving Tuesday started when the 92nd Street Y in New York City and the United Nations Foundation came together to create a day of charitable giving as a way to offset the increasing commercialization of Black Friday and Cyber Monday.
It quickly became a movement, gaining momentum with the power of social media and growing into a global day of giving that encourages generosity in all forms — expanding to include not only financial donations, but also gifts of time and acts of kindness.
Giving Tuesday is now an independent nonprofit as well as a worldwide phenomenon, with millions of people in countries around the world participating every year.
As a UNICEF National Committee, UNICEF USA works to secure crucial financial support and government funding for UNICEF while also educating the American public and rallying their support for children. UNICEF USA participates in Giving Tuesday to benefit UNICEF's mission, relentlessly pursuing a more equitable world for every child.
Learn more about what UNICEF does to help keep children healthy, educated, protected and respected
Why is Giving Tuesday important?
Giving Tuesday is not only a major fundraising event for nonprofit organizations big and small; it is also an opportunity to raise awareness of global causes while also generating donations to support those causes.
For UNICEF USA, Giving Tuesday is an opportunity to reinforce the idea that everyone has the power to make a difference in children's lives — a reminder that even small gifts can help create big change, through collective impact.
Learn about how UNICEF provides direct relief in emergencies
How UNICEF uses funds raised on Giving Tuesday
UNICEF leverages donations received on Giving Tuesday and throughout the year to deliver lifesaving and life sustaining support and protection to children in need.
Unrestricted funds like those collected through Giving Tuesday fundraisers are the most impactful type of donation for UNICEF. These funds are not tied to a specific country or program, allowing UNICEF to direct resources whenever and wherever they are needed most.
Unrestricted funds also support UNICEF responses to ongoing conflicts and other chronic crises affecting children — emergencies that do not receive sustained news coverage and may otherwise be overlooked, and underfunded.
Learn more: The Power of Unrestricted Giving
Giving Tuesday donations may support any number of important interventions for children, including:
- clean and safe water projects
- a powerhouse supply operation, headquartered at UNICEF's humanitarian warehouse in Copenhagen
- children's education programs
- efforts to end child malnutrition
Ways to give back and support UNICEF on Giving Tuesday
Support UNICEF this Giving Tuesday by:
- making a one-time or monthly contribution
- start a personal fundraiser and encourage friends and family to also support UNICEF
- follow and reshare UNICEF USA’s social media posts to amplify fundraising efforts
- attend the UNICEF Gala, hosted on Giving Tuesday each year by UNICEF USA
Join the global movement of generosity
Supporting UNICEF on Giving Tuesday brings hope and opportunity to children around the world. Whether through donations, fundraisers or advocacy, every act of kindness strengthens UNICEF’s mission to build a more equitable world for children.
Give now and change a child’s life
More Frequently Asked Questions about Giving Tuesday
Can I donate to UNICEF USA before or after Giving Tuesday?
Yes. Donations are gratefully received anytime, throughout the year, to help support UNICEF programs for children in need worldwide. Monthly giving is the most effective way to support the mission.
Will my Giving Tuesday donation be matched?
Whether donations are matched depends on the terms of a specific UNICEF USA campaign or employer program. Check with your employer to see if they will match your Giving Tuesday donation, or search from our corporate gift matching page. Gift matching opportunities offered by UNICEF USA are posted on unicefusa.org.
