What Is Giving Tuesday?
Every year, after the frenzy of Black Friday and Cyber Monday shopping deals, something remarkable happens; people all around the world come together to give in the spirit of uplifting communities. This day is known as Giving Tuesday, and it’s a global celebration of generosity that kindles the warmth of the holiday season, connection, community, and care. Giving Tuesday is always held on the Tuesday after Thanksgiving (this year, that’s December 2). Giving Tuesday is a great opportunity to support causes like the CCOF Foundation, which empowers organic farmers through grants, education, and resources. The CCOF Foundation relies on community support like yours to invest in the people growing our organic food, expand resources to organic education, and increase organic acreage, which in turn creates a more prosperous, resilient world.
The Origins of Giving Tuesday
Giving Tuesday began in 2012 as a direct response to the consumerism surrounding Thanksgiving weekend in the United States. It’s meant to inspire people to spend their money on acts of kindness, charitable donations, and community support, and reconsider where some Black Friday purchases may be redirected into nonprofit organizations.
Now, it’s grown into a global movement involving more than 85 countries and millions of participants each year. At its core, Giving Tuesday is about reimagining generosity. It’s not just about donating money (though that’s certainly part of it), it’s about gifting time, skills, kindness, and advocacy. It’s an annual reminder that everyone has something to give.
Why Participating Is Important
Giving Tuesday has become such a powerful force because it strengthens communities, bringing people together, and realigning priorities. When millions of people give on the same day, the combined effect is enormous. Nonprofits raise billions globally, and charitable causes see tangible improvements.
While it’s just one day a year, Giving Tuesday sparks ongoing engagement. What starts with one act of kindness can turn into a year-round habit of taking small actions to improve the world. This Giving Tuesday, consider the CCOF Foundation. An act of generosity today could grow into the gift of a healthier world tomorrow.
This Year, Support the CCOF Foundation
As you consider your options this Giving Tuesday, please remember the CCOF Foundation with your generosity. The CCOF Foundation empowers organic farmers to grow organic agriculture, which in turn creates a more prosperous, resilient world.
We do this through providing support in three areas:
- Resources for farmers transitioning to organic
- Organic-focused trainings and workshops
- Financial assistance for organic producers
Donate to the CCOF Foundation here
Supporting Organic
The CCOF Foundation provides $10,000 grants to farmers transitioning their land to organic production. When farmers transition their land from conventional to organic, they have to wait three years before achieving certification and selling their products as organic. During this three-year period, farmers are learning new farming techniques, creating new systems for their business, and generating new markets for their soon-to-be-organic products, all while cultivating products that are not yet able to earn certified organic premiums. Want to know more? Hear from one recipient of a CCOF Foundation Organic Transition grant.
The CCOF Foundation provides $5,000 scholarships to college and vocational students training for careers in organic. Future Organic Farmer grants are an investment in our future food system. The more beginning farmers who pursue organic, the more we increase organic acreage to feed our communities nutritious food. Our Future Organic Farmer grantees tell us that this scholarship helped them pursue organic and gave them confidence to succeed. Hear directly from one recipient of a CCOF Foundation Future Organic Farmers grant.
The CCOF Foundation Hardship Assistance Fund gives $5,000 – $20,000 direct financial disaster assistance grants for hardship related to extreme weather or climate impacts to organic farmers and producers. As one grant recipient put it, “Our dairy means everything to us, and we vow to keep it going even in the hard times. The past few years have been hard, this last year especially so. The grant…came at exactly the right time, giving us much needed relief.”
Combined, these efforts create an environment where organic can grow, expanding organic’s benefits for the planet, the climate, and our communities. This Giving Tuesday, you can become a part of that vision.
As you make your holiday plans this year, take a moment to think about how you can give back. Whether through time, money, or kindness, your contribution matters. Together, our collective generosity can make the world a brighter, more compassionate place. Let’s work together to live in a world where organic is the norm and where all communities have access to healthy food and a healthy planet.
