This piece draws on insights generously shared by Asha Aravindakshan of GlobalGiving, Lydia Gosselin, CFP, and Michelle Ormsby of Teach For America Detroit during their recent webinar, which emphasized that giving is not only impactful but also strategic.
Let’s be honest. Giving Tuesday can feel like a full-contact sport. Your inbox is overflowing, your favorite nonprofits are all emailing at once, and somehow you’re expected to be both generous and strategic before lunch.
That’s a lot of pressure for a Tuesday.
So how do you make a meaningful impact without losing your mind or your budget? Forté has your back with a quick guide to giving smarter this season.
1. Find Your Giving Groove
Before you decide where to give, take a moment to think about what truly matters to you. Maybe it’s climate action? education? food security? (We’re partial to advancing women in business and leadership, but that’s us.)
And beyond what you care about is how you like to create change. Do you prefer to get hands-on by volunteering or mentoring? Or do you like to support causes strategically by helping them grow and sustain their work over time?
Understanding both the causes that move you and the way you’re inclined to give can make your generosity more personal and more rewarding.
If you aren’t sure where to start, try the Giving Compass Style Quiz. It helps you connect your values with your approach to giving so you can feel confident that your efforts are creating the kind of change you believe in.
Understanding both the causes that move you and the way you’re inclined to give can make your generosity more personal and more rewarding."
2. Trust, But Verify
Not all nonprofits are created equal. Some are doing outstanding work. Some have great marketing.
Before you give, check trusted sites like Charity Navigator or Candid to make sure the organization is reputable, transparent, and aligned with your goals.
Turns out credibility pays off. Nonprofits with high ratings and clear accountability draw far more donations because people want to know their generosity is doing real good.
3. Matchmaker, Matchmaker, Make Me a Match
Matching gifts are the unsung heroes of charitable giving. If your employer offers a match program, you could double or even triple your impact.
Some companies even match volunteer hours. That means not just your money, but your time and expertise can multiply too.
If you are not sure whether your organization participates in matching programs, ask. Many companies have funds set aside for charitable matches, but employees have to take the first step to unlock them.
Matching gifts are the unsung heroes of charitable giving. If your employer offers a match program, you could double or even triple your impact."
4. The Strategic Side of Generosity
Cash may be king (or queen), but when it comes to giving, it's not the only way to make a difference.
You can donate appreciated stock, which can help you avoid capital gains tax and increase the total value of your gift. This is an easy way to stretch your contribution without spending more out of pocket.
Another option is a Donor Advised Fund (DAF). For more information on DAF's, check out this quick explanation and this Pershing Donor Advised Funds FAQ, but basically, a DAF works like a charitable savings account. You make a contribution, receive the tax deduction right away, and then recommend grants to your favorite nonprofits over time. This option gives you the flexibility to plan your giving strategically and respond when causes need support the most.
Think of it as giving with a game plan. When you know your options, your generosity works harder for you AND for the causes you care about.
5. Give What You’ve Got (No Wallet Required)
If your wallet is taking a break this year, your time and talent are still powerful ways to give. Nonprofits thrive on expertise, creativity, and energy just as much as donations.
You can volunteer for a cause you care about, join a nonprofit board, or mentor someone who is just getting started in their career. Even a few hours can have a ripple effect.
6. Remember the Date (and Set a Reminder)
Giving Tuesday annually lands on the Tuesday after Thanksgiving, and it will be here before you can say “tax-deductible.”
Before the day sneaks up on you, grab our Giving Tuesday Action Card, part of our Giving Playbook. Use it to plan your giving theme, set your goals, and decide how you will make an impact, whether that means cash, stock, a match, or a circle of friends pooling generosity and good intentions.
Whatever you choose, give with purpose and joy.
