Ten Education Organizations to Consider for Giving Tuesday

“I have found that among its other benefits, giving liberates the soul of the giver.” — Maya Angelou

While we know many love black Friday, Small Business Saturday and Cyber Monday, our favorite “shopping day” of the year has to be today, #GivingTuesday.

Giving Tuesday is a global day of giving that harnesses the collective power of individuals, communities and organizations to encourage philanthropy and to celebrate generosity worldwide. Last year (only it’s sixth year), an estimated $274 million was raised, an increase of 66 percent from the year prior.

Founded in 2012 by the 92nd Street Y – a community and cultural center in New York City − #GivingTuesday aims to inspire millions of people to give back and support the causes they believe in.

“We are incredibly inspired by the way the #GivingTuesday community has embraced this concept for a worldwide movement,” said Henry Timms, founder of #GivingTuesday and Executive Director of 92Y. “As we prepare for November 27, we’re energized and encouraged by the community’s generosity. The levels of creativity, effort and the quality of the new ideas people have contributed and shared are phenomenal.”

Below are just a few education organizations you should consider giving to today. You can find a full list of participating organizations here.

1. The Learning Accelerator (TLA) is a nonprofit organization that envisions “a future in which each child in America receives an effective, equitable, and engaging education that is personalized, informed by data, and mastery-based, enabling them to reach their full potential.” To celebrate Giving Tuesday, TLA is building support and awareness of their Annual Educator Travel Scholarship. Donations will help mobilize teachers around the United States to meet and connect with other education leaders, providing dedicated professionals with the opportunity to share what works best in their classrooms and to learn from each other.
2. Teach for America is a nonprofit organization whose stated mission is to “enlist, develop, and mobilize as many as possible of our nation’s most promising future leaders to grow and strengthen the movement for educational equity and excellence.” All donations made by Giving Tuesday (November 27) of $10+ will be doubled by the TFA National Board.
3. National Writing Project. Today, with its core grant from the U.S. Department of Education, supplemented by local, state, and private funds, the NWP comprises nearly 200 sites in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. A goal of the NWP is to place a writing project site within reach of every teacher in the nation. Their goal for this year’s Giving Tuesday Challenge is $50k.
4. MindSpark Learning is non-profit dedicated to “providing educators across the country with cutting-edge professional learning, and empowering them to better engage students and ultimately inspire them to thrive in the modern workforce.”
5. DonorsChoose.org is a nonprofit organization that allows individuals to donate directly to public school classroom projects. From helping students receive standard school supplies to providing flexible seating for first graders, you can choose how you make a difference.
6. Southern New Hampshire University is honoring Giving Tuesday this year and asking that donations be made to The Cupboard, an on-campus food pantry that acts a reliable source of nutrition and basic personal necessities for any SNHU student, staff, or faculty member who is in need.
7. The NEA Foundation is a public charity founded by educators for educators to improve public education for all students. For Giving Tuesday, the NEA is asking people to “honor an educator, celebrate a son or daughter, tell a story about your own experience, or highlight the positive impact of public education with your Yearbook post.” By giving $50 or more, people can upload a photo and a quote. All donations through the Yearbook will bolster the foundation’s programs in support of public school educators and their students, including educator grants, STEM education, and education equity, particularly in rural and remote communities.
8. MIND Research Institute’s innovative, visually-based software games aim to help students develop a love of math while guiding ongoing research that looks into key questions around learning and how the brain works. You can donate here.
9. Center for Education Reform‘s mission is to “expand educational opportunities that lead to improved economic outcomes for all Americans, particularly our youth, ensuring that the conditions are ripe for innovation, freedom and flexibility throughout U.S. education.”
10. nonPareil Institute is a nonprofit organization “focused on providing opportunity to adults across the autism spectrum within a safe and accommodating community.”

Are we missing someone or an organization you love? Comment below so we can make sure to add them to our list next year!

For more, see:

• 7 Creative Ways Schools and Teachers Can Fundraise
• Scaling Up: Give Money and Advice this #GivingTuesday

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