What is #GivingTuesday?
Celebrated on the Tuesday following Thanksgiving (in the U.S.) and the widely recognized shopping events Black Friday and Cyber Monday, #GivingTuesday kicks off the charitable season, when many focus on their holiday and end-of-year giving. Since its inaugural year in 2012, #GivingTuesday has become a movement that celebrates and supports giving and philanthropy with events throughout the year and a growing catalog of resources. (https://www.givingtuesday.org/about)
As a single person with no kids (yet…maybe) and no property
(yet), I am always looking for tax-deductions. That’s why I am happy that today
is #GivingTuesday2017.
If you’re looking for organizations to donate to, check out a
few of my favorites (in no particular order):
- Howard University. There are so many ways that you can support Howard, contributions to the general fund, scholarship funds or you can have a more intentional impact by giving to some of my favorite campus auxiliaries including (but not limited to):
o
Howard Swimming and Diving Team. Did you know
that Howard is the ONLY HBCU with a Division I swim team? Click
Here to Donate to HU Swimming and Diving
o
The Hilltop. The campus newspaper has been
through some serious challenges but still carries on to be the voice of the
students. Click
Here to donate to The Hilltop. Use the designation box to indicate you want
your gift to support The Hilltop
o
The Cathy Hughes School of Communications. As a
proud School of Communications graduate (back when it was just the School of
C), I think it’s important, now more than ever, that we continue to support OUR
future journalists, story tellers and truth seekers. To donate to the School of
Communications in any capacity, Click
Here to Support the School of Communications
o
Howard University Alumni Association Click
Here to Support HUAA
- AIDS Project of the East Bay (APEB). I am Secretary of the Board of Directors for this amazing organization doing great work, offering crucial services in Alameda County. APEB would REALLY benefit from your donation today. Click Here to Donate to APEB Through Facebook
- Imani Community Church. Faith to change the world, that’s our motto. We affect change in our communities with our social justice programs as well as our connections with other churches and organizations who are about the action. Scripture says that “Faith without works is dead” (James 2:14-17) and Imani (which means Faith) is about the action. We are raising funds to my our worship and community space accessible to everyone. Click Here to Donate to Imani Community Church.
- Alameda County Community Food Bank (ACCFB). The work that ACCFB does throughout Alameda County (and beyond) is so necessary. Eliminating Food Insecurity is something that I am very passionate about and this Food Bank works tirelessly to close that gap. Click Here to Donate to ACCFB
- Community Education and Employment Development (CEED). This is my mobile non-profit that I have started this year. CEED aims to provide mobile college and career prep to Black and Brown students within Oakland Unified School District. CEED is not a 501 (c)3 organization yet so donations are not yet tax-deducible. If you are interested in donating to CEED, please email – ceedoakland@gmail.com
- Mills College. Mills is having a tough time while trying to make higher education affordable. Recently, Mills reduced tuition by 36% while going through a Financial Stabilization Plan. I don’t know of any school, especially not one in California reducing tuition by 36%. Mills needs your help to keep moving in the right direction. Click Here to Donate to Mills College
One of the important things about #GivingTuesday is that
donations are usually doubled today, so your money goes even further. If you
have the capacity to give to any or all of these organizations, please do so
today. Happy #GivingTuesday2017
