Giving Tuesday
Support UNICEF on Giving Tuesday to help enhance the lives and safeguard the rights of children around the world.
What is Giving Tuesday? A global day of generosity, inspiring people everywhere to give
Each year, on the Tuesday after Thanksgiving, millions of people are inspired to act in support of causes that make a difference, from education and health to protection and humanitarian emergency response.
For UNICEF USA, it is a vital opportunity to increase support for UNICEF programs for children in need around the world.
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.
UNICEF USA, a UNICEF National Committee that works to secure crucial financial support and government funding for UNICEF — while also educating the American public and rallying their support for children — participates in Giving Tuesday to benefit UNICEF's programs that help keep children healthy, educated, protected and respected.
Learn more about UNICEF USA's relentless pursuit of a more equitable world for every child
When is Giving Tuesday 2025?
In 2025, Giving Tuesday falls on Dec. 2. 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
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.
On Giving Tuesday, donations are often matched by corporate partners or philanthropists, exponentially increasing the impact of each contribution. In 2024, donations to UNICEF USA for Giving Tuesday were matched five times the original value.
Why donating to UNICEF is the best way to provide 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 — the world’s largest
- 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 UNICEF USA’s social media posts to leverage toolkits and resources designed to amplify individual 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
