Domestic Violence Awareness: A Call to Action in 2023
September 25, 2023
The Imperative of Relief Funds during Severe Winter Weather
November 21, 2023October 30, 2023
Giving season is one of the most important times of the year for relief fund and nonprofit fundraising efforts, as donors seek to give back during the holidays. The season commences with Giving Tuesday, celebrated on the first Tuesday following Thanksgiving, and extends throughout December, symbolizing a time of generosity and communal support.
Peak Giving in November & December
In recent years, giving season has witnessed unprecedented levels of donations, reflecting a growing culture of philanthropy and social responsibility even during difficult or economically uncertain times. In 2020, charitable organizations received a staggering $466 billion in donations, with Giving Tuesday alone accounting for a record $2.47 billion. The subsequent year, 2021, saw an increase in charitable contributions, totaling over $516 billion (adjusted for inflation), and setting a new Giving Tuesday record with $2.7 billion in donations.
In 2022, charitable giving in the U.S. amounted to $499.33 billion - with $3.1 billion raised on Giving Tuesday alone.
The months of November and December remain crucial for charitable giving. 30% of annual giving occurs in December, with an astounding 10% of annual giving taking place in the last three days of the year alone. The final week of December is pivotal, as most nonprofits accumulate 47% of their online revenue after December 25th, and 20% of contributions come on December 31st — the final day of the year. These statistics underscore the immense significance of giving season for nonprofits.
This trend in end-of-year generosity not only exemplifies a culture of giving but also highlights the reliance of charitable organizations on giving season to meet their annual fundraising goals.
Giving Season and Relief Funds
Employee relief funds play a crucial role in both providing support to individuals facing hardships, and enabling team members to make a direct impact on the lives of their colleagues through donations. Giving season offers a unique opportunity to maximize contributions to these funds. By launching and promoting a relief fund during this season, organizations can amplify the impact of donations, providing sustained support to those in need throughout the year.
The act of giving not only aids the beneficiaries but also fosters a sense of community and shared responsibility among the donors. For companies, enabling employees to donate to relief funds enhances organizational culture and promotes a positive and empathetic work environment. It reinforces the values of compassion and solidarity, creating a harmonious and supportive workplace.
Studies show that individuals have a strong desire to give back and donate, even during difficult or economically uncertain times. In fact, many of our relief funds have been launched based on the popular demand of a company's employees.
Why You Should Consider Building an Employee Relief Fund Into Your End-of-Year Planning
One of the best ways to give back this holiday — and giving season — is for your organization to establish a relief fund with Emergency Assistance Foundation to help fellow team members who are struggling.
Critically, all Fund Partners of EAF — those who choose us as their third-party relief fund administrator — receive access to our Fund Partner Portal. Our Portal contains many helpful resources, including Giving Season campaign idea starters and samples to boost fundraising and employee engagement efforts throughout the year.
A disaster and hardship relief fund enables individuals within your organization to make a direct, positive impact on the lives of fellow team members in need. This can help to boost morale, participation, and collaboration among all team members. After all, that’s what the holiday season is all about — helping others. Get into the spirit of giving season by incorporating a relief fund into your end-of-year planning and establishing a fund with Emergency Assistance Foundation today!
