By Maureen Smith
JACKSON – Parishes, schools and organizations have the opportunity to participate in a unique fund-raising idea this year, thanks to the work of the Catholic Foundation and iGiveCatholic.
#GivingTuesday was founded in 2012 by New York’s 92nd Street Y in partnership with the United Nations Foundation. The idea was simple, the day after Thanksgiving came to be known as Black Friday as people started their Christmas shopping. This was followed by Cyber Monday, again focused on shopping.
The team behind Giving Tuesday thought there should be a day for people to give back to their communities during the holidays. They created an online movement encouraging people to give to their favorite charity on the Tuesday after Thanksgiving and announce their donation online using the hashtag #GivingTuesday as a way to encourage others to donate.
The idea has expanded so people can now honor their faith with their donation. Five dioceses have joined forces this year to create #iGiveCatholic. The Catholic Foundation has offered every parish and school in the Diocese of Jackson a spot on the #iGiveCatholic website. On Tuesday, Nov. 29, the faithful can make a secure, tax-deductible donation and urge others to do the same by posting an #iGiveCatholic status on social media. The organizations keep all the money while iGiveCatholic manages the website and infrastructure.
“I am so excited about this opportunity for us to join #iGiveCatholic. We all know how generous Mississippians can be, and on this day through social media we will be able to reach those alumni and parishioners that have moved away,” said Rebecca Harris, executive director of the Catholic Foundation. “I hope on Nov. 29 everyone will go to the Jackson Diocese facebook page and help us spread the word by sharing our posts.”
Once the parishes and schools are signed up, there will be a way to pledge a donation in advance of #iGiveCatholic day. Parishes and schools can also promote the day as creatively as they would like beforehand. Look for more details and a list of participants in upcoming issues of Mississippi Catholic.