Where to give back in Wisconsin this Giving Tuesday

Giving Tuesday’s global movement encourages people to give back. Here’s how in Wisconsin.

Since its launch in 2012, millions of Americans have participated in Giving Tuesday, a global movement to encourage generosity on the first Tuesday after Thanksgiving.

In 2024, Americans donated a total of $592 billion to charities, 66% of which were individual donations, according to a WalletHub report. In the same report, Wisconsin ranked 29th in 2024 of the most charitable states in the US.

RELATED: Bikes for Kids Wisconsin hosts Giving Tuesday Telethon to donate bikes to children in need

Last year’s Giving Tuesday broke records, with $3.6 billion donated in the US, a 16% increase from 2023. This brings the sum of donations since the movement’s launch to more than $18.5 billion.

The organizers behind Giving Tuesday encourage individuals to give “your time, a donation, or the power of your voice in your local community.”

Here are some ways you can participate in Giving Tuesday in Wisconsin:

• RENEW Wisconsin: With a donation goal of $15,000, this organization aims to combat the climate crisis through advocacy for policy and legislation, and renewable energy to reach clean energy goals. 
• Hunger Task Force: All donations will be matched up to $100,000 to help feed families and end hunger in the community.
• ERI Wisconsin: Donations to ERI Wisconsin will support individuals with disabilities find “meaningful work, rebuild careers, and reach their goals.” When they reach 15 individual donations, a match from ERI’s Board of Directors becomes available.
• Wisconsin Humane Society: Donations will be matched up to $25,000 to help keep Wisconsin pets healthy. Money raised goes toward various pet treatments and programs throughout the state.
• Froedtert & the Medical College of Wisconsin: Donations can be made to the Froedtert Hospital Foundation, Froedtert Menomonee Falls Hospital Foundation, and Froedtert West Bend Hospital Foundation to support physicians, nurses, and health care staff facing higher demand and working longer hours.
• Gathering Waters: Each donation made will be matched up to $10,000, going towards Wisconsin land protection and conservation. Donors will also be entered into a prize drawing to win one of three YETI tumblers.
• Moms Mental Health Initiative: This organization supports mothers’ mental health in pregnancy or postpartum. Donations help the organization to maintain programs to assist mothers.
• Special Olympics Wisconsin: The organization is partnering with Thrivent to match every donation made to support Special Olympics Wisconsin athletes and programming.