Every year, the holiday shopping season brings Black Friday and Cyber Monday. But there’s another day in the calendar that offers a different way to take part: Giving Tuesday, a global movement that encourages people to give, volunteer and support the causes they believe in.
What began in New York in 2012 has grown into an international initiative, bringing together everyone from school classes and neighborhood groups to charities and global companies.
In 2026, the day falls on December 1. Here’s a closer look at what Giving Tuesday is, where it came from, why it matters, and how you can participate. We’ll also explore how this day of generosity can help support Ukrainian children who have lost one or both parents to the war through the Children of Heroes Fund.
Giving Tuesday is a global day of generosity celebrated every year on the Tuesday after Thanksgiving in the United States. People take part in different ways: donating money or goods, volunteering their time, organizing fundraisers, or raising awareness of causes they care about. The organizers spell the name as one word, GivingTuesday, although it is commonly written as two.
The timing is intentional. Black Friday and Cyber Monday are associated with shopping and special offers. Giving Tuesday offers a chance to shift the focus from what we can buy to what we can give. For many charities, it also marks the beginning of the year-end fundraising season, when organizations raise a significant share of their annual budgets.
Giving Tuesday 2026 takes place on Tuesday, December 1. Thanksgiving falls on November 26, 2026, and Giving Tuesday always follows five days later. This is why its date changes each year, falling sometime between November 27 and December 3.
Although the day itself lasts 24 hours, some campaigns remain open longer to give people in different time zones a full opportunity to participate. GlobalGiving, for example, will keep its campaign open from midnight on December 1 until noon on December 2, Eastern Time. In Central European Time, that is from 06:00 on December 1 until 18:00 on December 2.
Giving Tuesday was launched in 2012 in New York City at the 92nd Street Y, a cultural center. Henry Timms created the initiative in partnership with the United Nations Foundation, according to its history. In 2019, GivingTuesday became an independent nonprofit organization.
One reason the idea spread so widely is that anyone can take part. There is no need to register or pay a fee: a school class can organize a charity fair, neighbors can collect donations for a local cause, and a company can encourage its employees to volunteer. Today, grassroots movements are active in more than 110 countries, each led by local people and shaped around their communities and languages.
The scale of the movement is reflected in its annual results. In 2025, people in the United States donated a record $4.0 billion on Giving Tuesday, 13% more than in 2024. But financial contributions tell only part of the story. GivingTuesday’s research team also tracks volunteering, donated goods and public support for causes.
What was measured, US, 2025 | Figure | Change vs. 2024 |
Money donated | $4.0B | +13% |
People who took part in any way | 38.1M | +6% |
People who gave money | 19.1M | +3% |
People who spoke out about causes | 20.9M | +26% |
People who donated goods | 13.5M | +4% |
People who volunteered | 11.1M | +20% |
Money donated since 2012 | $22.5B | – |
The figures also show how people choose to participate. In 2025, more Americans spoke out about causes than donated money, and the number of people doing so grew faster than the number of financial supporters.
To put the $4.0 billion total into perspective, imagine spreading it across all 24 hours of the day. From midnight to midnight, Americans donated approximately $46,000 every second.
These figures reflect giving in the United States only. There is no single global total for the movement, as each country tracks participation and donations differently.
Giving Tuesday highlights the many ways people can contribute to a cause. A donation can provide direct financial support, but generosity can also mean volunteering, sharing information, donating essential goods or encouraging others to get involved.
The 2025 results illustrate this broader idea: 20.9 million Americans spoke out about a cause that day, compared with 19.1 million who donated money. The number of people raising their voices grew by 26%, while the number of financial supporters grew by 3%. Sharing a fundraiser with friends, telling colleagues about an organization, or bringing someone along to volunteer can help a cause reach people who might not otherwise have heard about it.
The day also creates an opportunity for smaller charities to reach new audiences. A local organization and a large international charity can both use the occasion to tell people about their work and invite them to participate. Some companies and fundraising platforms also offer matching funds, allowing eligible donations to go further.
Still, the impact of generosity should not be limited to one day. Charities need resources in March just as much as they do in December, and a surge of donations on a single Tuesday cannot sustain a full year of work. Giving Tuesday can be a starting point: an opportunity to discover a cause, make a first contribution and consider supporting it beyond the campaign.
Giving Tuesday is also celebrated in Ukraine, where it is known as Shchedryi Vivtorok, meaning “Generous Tuesday.” It takes place on the same December date as the global campaign, bringing together initiatives across the country and around the world. A school fair in Dnipro and a fundraiser in Amsterdam, for example, can take place on the same day.
The Ukrainian movement has developed its own reach and character. In 2021, according to the movement’s public report, Shchedryi Vivtorok raised more than UAH 25.5 million. More than 172,000 participants and 4,800 volunteers organized 944 charity events in 145 towns and villages across 24 regions.
Ukrainians have continued to give throughout the war. According to a 2024 survey, 86% of Ukrainians said they had participated in charitable activities that year, while 73% had donated money. For people in Europe and elsewhere who want to support Ukraine, Giving Tuesday is another opportunity to join this wider effort.
For children who have lost one or both parents to the war, the need for support does not end after the first months of loss. As they grow up, their circumstances and needs change, from emotional recovery and school life to health, independence and decisions about their future. A single day of giving can help make that long-term support possible.
The Children of Heroes Fund supports more than 17,000 children across Ukraine, staying by their side until they turn 19.
Think of a child who lost their father at the age of six. At seven, they may need warm clothes, shoes and essential items for everyday life. A few years later, they may need a laptop to keep up with schoolwork, tutoring to strengthen their knowledge, or medical assistance. By fifteen, their needs may include educational opportunities that help them prepare for further studies and a future profession. As children grow, their circumstances change, and the support they receive needs to change with them.
The Fund works with each family to understand what kind of assistance is needed. A case manager identifies the needs of both the child and their guardian and helps arrange appropriate support. Depending on the family’s circumstances, this can include:
Winter is one example of how needs can differ from family to family. Through the Fund’s Warmth for Children program, assistance reaches families before the cold sets in and is tailored to their circumstances. Some children need warm clothing and shoes because they have outgrown last year’s winter essentials. Other families need firewood or a generator to get through power outages.
Last winter, more than 3,000 children received warm footwear. As of November 2026, 1,243 children still need winter clothing this season, while another 570 need warm footwear.
The Fund publishes monthly and annual reports showing how donations are spent and how many children receive support. These reports help supporters understand the assistance provided and follow the Fund’s work over time.
Your gift brings warm clothing, psychological care, and school support to children who lost one or both parents
With so many organizations asking for support on the same day, choosing where to donate can take a little research. A trustworthy charity should be properly registered, explain how it uses donations and make information about its work publicly available. Independent reviews can offer another useful point of reference.
Lists of the best charities for Giving Tuesday appear every November, but a charity’s presence on a list should not replace your own checks. Before making a donation, consider the following:
Children of Heroes meets these criteria. Its Dutch entity, Stichting Children of Heroes of Ukraine, holds ANBI status, and the Fund publishes monthly reports on its website. Candid, the largest US database of nonprofits, has awarded it the Platinum Seal of Transparency. GlobalGiving lists the Fund as an Effective Organization, while in the Netherlands, it holds CBF Recognition, the Dutch quality mark for charities.
Taking the time to understand an organization’s work can also help you decide whether you want to support it beyond Giving Tuesday. When you know what a donation makes possible and how the organization reports on its results, it is easier to make an informed decision about giving again.
There is no single right way to participate in Giving Tuesday. You can make a one-time donation, set up monthly support, organize a fundraiser or share a cause with people you know. If you’re considering where to donate on Giving Tuesday, here are four ways to get involved through the Children of Heroes Fund.
A one-time donation is a straightforward way to contribute. You can donate to Ukrainian children through the Children of Heroes donation page in just a few minutes, with your full donation going to the Fund.
On December 1, your contribution toward children’s winter needs can go even further through GlobalGiving. For 36 hours, from 06:00 CET on December 1 until 18:00 CET on December 2, GlobalGiving will provide a matching contribution for eligible donations made to the Fund’s project on its platform.
The match applies only to donations made through GlobalGiving, not those made on the Fund’s own website. Eligible contributions can be made by card, PayPal or Apple Pay. Donations of up to US$2,500 per supporter to the Fund are eligible for the match; any amount above that still reaches the Fund but is not matched. Gifts in euros or other currencies are converted to US dollars. The matching funds come from a shared $500,000 pool distributed among participating projects in proportion to the amounts they raise. The final match amount will therefore only be known once the campaign ends.
Children’s needs arise throughout the year. A new school year, a course of therapy or an unexpected medical need can all call for support at different times.
A monthly donation gives the Fund a more predictable source of funding, helping it plan ahead and provide assistance when families need it. You can set up monthly support in just a few minutes and change or cancel your contribution at any time.
If you already give regularly, thank you. Your contribution continues to make a difference every day, and there’s nothing more you need to do.
You don’t have to organize a fundraiser alone. Inviting friends, family and colleagues to support a cause is another way to take part in Giving Tuesday and introduce the Fund’s work to a wider audience.
Through Fundraise for us, you can create your own fundraiser for children who have lost one or both parents to the war or join an existing team. Here’s how to get started:
If you’d rather use JustGiving, you can also create a fundraising page for the Fund there. The Fundraise for us page includes a Fundraiser Kit with photos and ready-to-use text, so you don’t have to write your appeal from scratch. Consider launching your fundraiser a week before December 1 to give your friends time to get involved.
Not every contribution has to involve money. Sharing a story can help someone discover an issue they hadn’t known about or learn about an organization they might want to support.
In 2025, more people spoke out about causes on Giving Tuesday than donated money. You can share a child’s story from the Fund’s website, forward this article or simply tell a friend why you donate to Ukrainian children. A personal recommendation can help a cause reach someone new and encourage them to get involved.
If you’re donating from the Netherlands, your gift to Stichting Children of Heroes of Ukraine, which holds ANBI status, may be tax-deductible under Dutch rules. The Fund’s tax-deductible donations page explains the available options in other countries.
Last winter, more than 3,000 children received warm boots. This winter, hundreds more are still waiting for theirs. On December 1, you can turn the idea behind Giving Tuesday into practical support: support Ukrainian children who have lost one or both parents to the war.
Tuesday, December 1. Giving Tuesday always falls on the Tuesday after Thanksgiving in the United States.
It is a day dedicated to generosity in all its forms. It takes place immediately after Black Friday and Cyber Monday, offering a reminder to give back during the holiday shopping season.
Look for charities that are registered where you pay tax, publish regular reports on how donations are used and have received independent reviews, such as CBF Recognition in the Netherlands or a Candid Seal of Transparency.
No. Charities accept donations throughout the year. However, matching campaigns, such as GlobalGiving’s, are available only during their specified time periods.
Yes. Children of Heroes accepts online donations and has a registered entity in the Netherlands, Stichting Children of Heroes of Ukraine, which holds ANBI status and CBF Recognition.
Sonmansstraat 68 A1 Rotterdam, The Netherlands 3039DM
Phone number:
+3197005033454
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Children of Heroes operates through separate legal entities in the Netherlands, Ukraine and the United States. This website is run by Stichting Children of Heroes of Ukraine (Chamber of Commerce number: 90057724). News and media materials may describe programs and activities of other Children of Heroes entities. Each item states which entity it relates to. Read more
Sonmansstraat 68 A1 Rotterdam, The Netherlands 3039DM
Children of Heroes operates through separate legal entities in the Netherlands, Ukraine and the United States. This website is run by Stichting Children of Heroes of Ukraine (Chamber of Commerce number: 90057724). News and media materials may describe programs and activities of other Children of Heroes entities. Each item states which entity it relates to. Read more
2026 Stichting Children of Heroes of Ukraine
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З перших днів повномасштабного вторгнення Юрій пішов добровольцем на фронт. На жаль, чоловік загинув під Бахмутом. Ця трагедія стала справжнім ударом для його дружини Галини та двох донечок — 13-річної Таїсії та 11-річної Іринки. Емоційний стан донечок був вкрай нестабільним: вони закрились в собі.
Від фонду «Діти Героїв» сімʼя Найдухів отримала можливість поїхати до табору «Воловець» у Карпатах. Це табір психоемоційної стабілізації для сімей, що постраждали від війни. З перших днів у таборі розпочались позитивні зміни. Вони ходили в гори, малювали, співали, купалися в чанах. Галина каже, що вона вперше після трагедії добре спала. А дівчата, які категорично відмовлялись йти до психолога, після табору самі висловили бажання розпочати роботу з фахівцем!
