What Is Giving Season and Why Should You Care About It?

November 28, 2022

By Kevin Donaldson

All of the holidays at the end of the year make it the perfect time to gather with the ones we love and celebrate the good things in our lives. One of the ways we do this is by giving gifts to family and friends to show how much we care about and appreciate them.

The season is a reminder for us to be grateful for the things we have and the people we have in our lives. Because of this, it is a period of time full of generosity and kindness, and that’s why it’s become known as the season of giving, or—more simply—giving season.

In addition to showing our loved ones how much we care, giving season is also about giving back to those who are less fortunate and in need. In this article, we’ll explain everything you need to know about giving season and why you should care about it.

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?

Why is giving season important?

Giving season is so important because it is a time to be generous, kind, and help those in need, particularly through charitable giving. That makes it a crucial time for nonprofit organizations and charities to fundraise, especially since 30% of all giving takes place in November and December. The gifts these organizations receive from year-end giving are essential to their ability to carry out their mission for the entire year. In fact, nearly 30% of nonprofits report that end-of-year giving accounts for anywhere between 25% and 50% of their annual funds.

Without the charitable giving that occurs at the end of the year, nonprofits and charities wouldn’t receive as much funding and, therefore, wouldn’t be able to do as much. However, thanks to the generosity of millions of people during giving season, these organizations receive more donations than during other times of the year and are able to maximize their impact.

Giving season is not only beneficial for the nonprofits who receive donations and the causes they support, but the act of giving is also good for those who engage in it. In addition to making the world a better place through their charitable contributions, individuals who give to help others can experience certain health benefits, including:

Lower blood pressure
Lower stress levels
Improved self-esteem
Decreased sadness and depression
Increased happiness and satisfaction
Overall longer life

The act of giving is something that benefits everyone involved. Most importantly, though, it helps those who are in need, and that’s what giving season is all about. That’s why it’s important for everyone who can to make an effort to help others during this time of the year. One of the ways you can get into the giving season spirit is by supporting our crucial work at Habitat for Humanity of the Charlotte Region today!

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!

November 28, 2022