What exactly is giving season?

While giving season is generally considered to be the end of the year, there is a specific time frame that it entails. To many, giving season technically starts on Giving Tuesday—the first Tuesday after Thanksgiving. Giving Tuesday is a movement focused on promoting generosity. It was started in 2012 as a way to shift the mindset from the consumerism of Black Friday to that of helping those in need. In 2022, Giving Tuesday is on November 29th.

After celebrating Thanksgiving, millions of people get into the giving spirit by taking part in Giving Tuesday. In 2021, there were over 35 million people who participated in Giving Tuesday. There was also $2.7 billion given in the United States alone on that day. But Giving Tuesday is just the start.

After Giving Tuesday, giving season continues through the rest of the year. While the statistics from Giving Tuesday are a great example of the generosity that giving season involves, December takes things a step further, especially toward the end of the month. In fact, around 10% of all giving occurs in the final three days of the year.

The increase in charitable contributions is even more dramatic when it comes to online giving. Nearly 50% of all online year-end revenue comes after December 25th, with 20% coming on December 31st alone. Compare that to the 4% of online year-end donations that occur on Giving Tuesday and it’s clear that giving season truly lasts until the new year. This all helps to explain what giving season is and why it’s been named that, but why is it such an important time of the year?

At Habitat for Humanity of the Charlotte Region, we rely on our donors and volunteers to make our work possible. They are the ones who provide the benefits of homeownership to the individuals we serve by contributing to our programs. Some of the main ways they do this involve providing the land that we build on, donating money to cover the costs of home construction, and volunteering their time to build the homes. Without them, there wouldn’t be homes for families to build a life in.

Through faith, innovation, and passion—and thanks to the support of countless community partners, volunteers, donors, and advocates—Habitat Charlotte Region has made a significant impact in Charlotte and the surrounding area since its founding.

We envision a world where everyone has a decent place to live, and have served over 3,500 families as we work to make that goal a reality. We seek to put God’s love into action by bringing people together to build homes, communities, and hope. We are committed to serving the community while recognizing that change and adaptability are key to intensifying our impact.

Habitat Charlotte Region welcomes volunteers, supporters, and potential homeowners from all backgrounds. You can help us make a difference in the lives of others in the community by signing up to volunteer with us today! You can also get involved by supporting our work with a donation or even exploring our Homebuyer Program!