Kiwi charities unite to inspire generosity during Christmas

Kiwi charities unite to inspire generosity during Christmas time

On Tuesday, 2 December, more than 130 Kiwi charities and not-for-profits will join forces to participate in New Zealand’s first #GivingTuesday.

The goal of #GivingTuesday is to harness the power of many to inspire people to support their favourite charities by volunteering, donating or lending their voices during the Christmas period. This is the first time so many New Zealand charities and not-for-profits have banded together for a single cause.

Charities taking part include Oxfam NZ, which will use the day to provide a pre-Christmas boost to its Oxfam Unwrapped campaign. Also, the Child Cancer Foundation (CCF) is encouraging people to forfeit the $5 they may spend on their morning coffee, lunch or treat to assist their work.

“We really hope people will embrace the spirit of Christmas and help us raise the money needed to support families going through such a tough time,” says CCF chief executive, Robyn Kiddle.

#GivingTuesday is supported by the Fundraising Institute of New Zealand (FINZ),
Philanthropy New Zealand, TechSoup New Zealand and Volunteering New Zealand.

James Austin, CEO of FINZ, says #GivingTuesday is a movement to celebrate and provide incentives to give.

“It harnesses the collective power of a unique blend of partners — charities, families, businesses and individuals — to transform how people think about, talk about and participate in the pre-Christmas giving season,” he says.

Mr. Austin says that with so many charities participating from every corner of New Zealand, he hopes the public will show their generosity and give their support.

“This is the time to give even more to your preferred charities so that those supported by charitable work will have a better and happier Christmas.”

#GivingTuesday was established in the United States in 2012 to inspire action around charitable giving in the lead-up to Christmas. The movement has now spread to over 40 countries, so the New Zealand-based charities taking part join thousands of charities around the world.

Overseas participants include the UN Foundation’s Shot@Life vaccination programme, supported by Bill and Melinda Gates, the Church of England and the RSPCA.

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