Hot off the trails of Black Friday and Cyber Monday is a day much more heartwarming (in our opinions, at least) — Giving Tuesday.
The annual day of giving is just that — a way to give back and spread generosity in any way you can, whether it be through donating money, making a meal for a neighbor, or volunteering at a local organization.
Get inspired to give back with these local ways to participate in Giving Tuesday based on the movement’s nine main categories.
Give Money
Have a little extra money that you didn’t use on Cyber Monday sales? Use it to donate to a nonprofit that aligns with your values:
- Donate to support local entrepreneurs with the Company Lab.
- The McKenzie Foundation will match all Giving Tuesday donations to Girls Inc. of Chattanooga up to $5,000.
- Make a donation to ArtsBuild’s 2022 Annual Campaign as a way to show your support for the local arts.
- Chambliss Center for Children is hoping to reach its goal of raising $28,000, with help from matching partner LYNC Logistics. The first 28 people who donate $150 or more will receive a special treat and a thank you note from the kids.
- Donate to Latina Professionals of Chattanooga to help the organization purchase feminine products and school supplies + support Latina women and girls in the community.
- Support the Pop-up Project by donating to help bring dance into our communities and connect youth to dancing.
- Donations to Green Spaces will support work in empowering low-income families to lower utility bills, creating a culture of sustainability in Chattanooga, and more.
- Northside Neighborhood House has an anonymous donor who pledged to triple-match donations made today.
- Give to La Paz Chattanooga to support the organization’s pillars of family stabilization, educational access, and placemaking + advocacy.
Pay it Forward
Pay for the coffee behind you in the drive-thru, leave a gift card at the gas pump, or try one of these ways to pay it forward locally:
- Today, Public House is donating 10% of all revenue to local nonprofit Partnership for Families, Children and Adults — reserve your table here.
- Main Street Meats + Easy Bistro are also donating a percentage of all proceeds today to Girls Inc. of Chattanooga.
- Almanac Supply Co. is donating 10% of all candles sold (plus an extra $1 for each Lookout Candle) to the Tennessee River Gorge Trust — getting gifts for others while giving back? Win-win.
- Grab pizza or a hoagie from Chattanooga Pizza Co. + Lil Mama’s Chicago Style Hoagy to support the Chattanooga Autism Center today with a portion of sales.
- Stop by Blue Skies to find more gifts — the store will donate 15% of sales made today to A Step Ahead Chattanooga. (There will also be a raffle giving away an empowered woman-themed goodie box.)
Give Nourishment
- Support our two (about to be three) local community fridges by shopping for the fridge, doing a wellness check, or donating monetarily — learn more here.
- Host a food drive for the Chattanooga Area Food Bank, or donate monetarily.
- Volunteer to serve meals at the Chatt Foundation (formerly Chattanooga Community Kitchen).
- The Chattanooga Food Center is raising funds this Giving Tuesday to support its mission of increasing access to locally grown food, provide nutrition education, and inspire engagement in regional agriculture.
Give Time
Give your time by volunteering at a local organization — find our list of volunteer opportunities here.
Help a Neighbor
Help your neighbors + community members by helping with yard work or chores, bringing over a meal, or starting a community garden. Pro tip: Join the Chattanooga Living Facebook page to find more opportunities to help your neighbors (plus, other fun posts + happenings).
Give Kindness
Make a big impact with small acts of kindness in the community — check out these Giving Tuesday acts of kindness that we localized:
- Donate your old laptop or computer to Hamilton County Schools.
- Find a Little Free Library in your community and drop off some books.
- Become a “Big Brother” or “Big Sister.”
- Choose to shop from underrepresented business owners — LAUNCH Chattanooga’s business directory is a great place to start.
Give Voice
Use social media to post about your favorite cause (use the hashtag #GivingTuesday), contact elected officials in support of fair policies, and tell your friends and family about Giving Tuesday.
Bonus: Chambliss Center for Children plans a social media-based campaign each year for Giving Tuesday surrounding a special theme — this year’s theme is “Where Are They Now?” taking a look back on where its programs and people started + how far the organization has come since then.
Give Talents
Use your skills for good by volunteering or teaching classes on what you’re passionate about. Suggest a class that you could teach at The Chattery here.
Give to Our Earth
Give back to the earth by planting a tree, starting a garden, or organizing or participating in a local cleanup.
- Check out these organizations that help keep Chattanooga clean.
- Sponsor a cleanup at Green Steps.
- Organize a neighborhood cleanup via social media or word of mouth.
