Giving Tuesday presents opportunities Dec. 3

On Dec. 3, ANR is once again participating in Giving Tuesday's 24-hour global giving challenge, a movement about ordinary people coming together to do extraordinary things. Celebrated on the Tuesday after Thanksgiving, Giving Tuesday kicks off the charitable season. For ANR, the social media-driven #GivingTuesday is an opportunity to raise funds for UC Cooperative Extension county programs, research and extension centers, and statewide programs.

“Giving Tuesday gives us an opportunity to talk about our research and outreach to enhance food systems and create thriving communities, as well as all the other positive things everyone in ANR is doing to make life better for Californians,” said VP Glenda Humiston.

For UC ANR stakeholders, #GivingTuesday presents an opportunity to support the many programs and services that strengthen California communities each day and, more importantly, during times of crisis. Last year, over $120,000 was raised on #GivingTuesday to support UC ANR programs including the 4-H Youth Development Program and UC Master Gardener Program.

“Wherever you are in California, so are we. Our programs and research serve our communities— bringing practical, trusted answers to residents across the state. That's what our #GivingTuesday #NeighborCA campaign is all about,” said Emily Delk, director of annual giving for UC ANR.

“This year, I'm excited to share that we will have two match challenge funds totaling $40,000. Matching funds are a huge incentive to donors who want to double the impact of their gift,” said Delk.

The website, https://donate.ucanr.edu, has links to all of ANR's programs, Research and Extension Centers and UCCE offices and invites donors to designate programs or locations to which they wish to donate.

Toolkits are also available for county offices and programs to participate: https://ucdavis.box.com/s/hhs31eaycmrfs6m3dg0qgi4ld18o3jyc

The toolkits include:

• Sample tweets and social media posts
• Custom images to include in social posts
• Email templates to customize and send to supporters

The UC Master Gardener Giving Tuesday website is at http://mg.ucanr.edu/givingtuesday.  

The 4-H Youth Development Program also has its own website at http://4h.ucanr.edu/GivingTuesday.

Although not as well-known as the shopping events Black Friday and Cyber Monday, #GivingTuesday appeals to people who are swept up in the spirit of giving at the end of the year. 

This year Development Services has set a goal of collecting a total of $125,000 for 4-H and UC ANR from 500 or more donors on #GivingTuesday.

“The #GivingTuesday #NeighborCA campaign is a fun way for people in all ANR programs to give to the programs most important to them,” said Delk.

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