Giving Tuesday!

Giving Tuesday is a global initiative that encourages people to donate their time and money to charitable causes on the Tuesday after Thanksgiving. What does this have to do with filmmaking?

Filmmakers, especially indie filmmakers, generally make films about causes they care about and giving Tuesday is all about causes. And like indie filmmakers, non-profits rely on the support of others to achieve their goals.

Giving Tuesday is an opportunity to connect with non-profits who care about the same issues you do. You can help these organizations by donating not only your time but your skills. Maybe shoot a short video to help an organization promote an initiative. Maybe edit short pieces that can be posted on social media to promote their work and needs. Or if you have great producing skills, maybe volunteer in their offices to help organize their projects.

By connecting with these organizations, you are not only helping but you are also expanding your potential audience for you work. Connecting with people who care about the same things you do can lead to mutual support.

I’d like to add that most of these non-profits sell holiday gifts or donations in the name of “person you wish to give a gift to” and I encourage everyone to consider this as gift options.

Some non-profits I recommend considering:

Acacia Network
Acacia Network is committed to improving the quality-of-life and wellbeing of underserved communities in New York City and beyond.

Habitat for Humanity
Habitat for Humanity is a nonprofit organization that helps families build and improve places to call home because affordable housing plays a critical role in strong and stable communities.

Human Rights Campaign
HRC exists is to ensure that all LGBTQ+ people, and particularly those of us who are trans, people of color and HIV+, are treated as full and equal citizens within our movement, across our country and around the world.

Innocence Project
The Innocence Project works to free the innocent, prevent wrongful convictions, and create fair, compassionate, and equitable systems of justice for everyone.

Respectability
RespectAbility is a diverse, disability-led nonprofit that works to create systemic change in how society views and values people with disabilities, and that advances policies and practices that empower people with disabilities to have a better future.

Save the Children International
Around the world, too many children still start life at a disadvantage simply because of who they are and where they are from. Save the Children International helps protect children to ensure they not only survive but thrive.