We’ve had Black Friday, Small Business Saturday and, today, Cyber Monday, all aimed at encouraging holiday spending.

Now comes a different day making a pitch to part you from your money. But this gift is not for family, or even yourself. In fact, you might never know exactly who benefited from your participation in #Giving Tuesday.

That doesn’t mean it won’t feel good to give.

Giving Tuesday annually takes place on the first Tuesday after Thanksgiving. It has blossomed since it started in 2012, and reportedly drew a record $3.6 billion in donations in the United States in 2024, up 16% from the previous year, with 36.1 million people taking part.

Like the two major shopping days before it, #GivingTuesday offers some definite good reasons — beyond the simple thought of helping some charity or cause achieve their goals — for participating on that day. Some organizations, for example, will provide matching funds.

You can go international — all of the recommendations at www.givewell.org are outside the U.S. due to the level of help that can be achieved for every dollar — or find a worthy group in the U.S. as well.

Or perhaps you’d like to keep the money in the region — the Grow & Lead online site has posted its 2025 Giving Guide, with more than 30 Upper Peninsula organizations seeking donations, at https://growandleadup.org/giving-tuesday/. The list includes a link to donate or to learn more about what the money will be used for in the U.P.

Some of the area non-profits listed include:

— Dickinson Iron Community Services Agency, which operates the local Meals on Wheels program for homebound seniors. Funding is limited, and the organization relies on community support to serve everyone who qualifies for meal delivery. Donations help eliminate the waiting list and provide nutritious meals, social connection and a friendly visit. Every $10 contribution feeds a senior in need and supports the organization’s mission to “Feed a Senior and Feed a Heart.” All donations can be made online at https://www.dicsami.org/.

— Iron County 4-H Council, to raise support for positive youth development opportunities. Donations help ensure 4-H programs continue to benefit local youth for generations to come. Community members can give online through the “Iron County 4-H Gift Account” or mail checks to support the organization’s mission.

— U.P. Wildlife Rehabilitation – Keweenaw Group, which relies on public donations to provide food, medical care and enclosures for injured and orphaned wildlife from throughout the Upper Peninsula. As the organization receives no government funding, contributions help ensure wildlife receive the care they need. Community members can support the group this GivingTuesday via Paypal.me/UPWildlifeKeweenaw; the group’s Facebook page; and by mailing checks or items to U.P. Wildlife Rehab 42057, Archambeau Road, Chassell, MI 49916.

The #give906 site, at https://glcyd.org/programs/giving-tuesday/, has more than 30 U.P. organizations seeking donations and a link to donate or to learn more about getting involved. The guide is coordinated by Grow & Lead: Community and Youth Development.

A little advice for #GivingTuesday or any other time considering a donation: do some research on how the money is used and how much goes to the cause rather than administration, stay away from businesses trying to tap into trends as a marketing tool, beware of scammers and be certain the site used is legitimate.

Otherwise, Giving Tuesday is a great excuse to join a growing global movement and help some great causes.