Last Tuesday, Nov. 28, the state came together in an overwhelming show of generosity and community spirit for our very first GAgives on #GivingTuesday. We are thrilled to report that a record $4 million was donated through GAgives.org, and another $2.8 million was reported from 36 other major donation platforms – raising a grand total of $6.8 million for Georgia nonprofits in our state’s first unified #GivingTuesday campaign.

The Georgia Center for Nonprofits is honored to have led the state’s giving movement since its launch in 2012, inspiring Georgians to recognize nonprofits, share their worth, and give back. In its first five annual events, GAgives raised more than $13 million from 73,000 gifts, all directly benefitting nonprofits across the state. This year, GCN re-launched Georgia’s 24-hour giving marathon in partnership with the global #GivingTuesday initiative, deepening support for local nonprofits and expanding awareness of the need to give. Worldwide, the 2017 #GivingTuesday campaign drove a grand total of $274 million in giving – a 50 percent increase over last year’s total.

“The year-over-year growth in these giving movements is clear proof of an ever-increasing appreciation for nonprofits, and the work they do to strengthen communities and enrich lives,” said GCN President and CEO Karen Beavor. “And we’re positive that the giving tradition will continue growing: We’re already getting ready for for next year’s GAgives on #GivingTuesday, happening November 27, 2018.” Nonprofits are invited to register now.

“When the #GivingTuesday movement was founded, we hoped that it would focus attention on the opportunity for individuals to be generous. States like Georgia and the GAgives campaign have taken this aspiration far beyond our initial hopes, inspiring an entire state to give together,” said Asha Curran, Chief Innovation Officer at the 92nd Street Y and Director of their Belfer Center for Innovation & Social Impact, which oversees #GivingTuesday. “We are so pleased that Georgia has joined the #GivingTuesday movement and want to congratulate them on the incredible generosity of the citizens of Georgia.”

Beyond funds raised, the GAgives initiative demonstrates the power of collaboration among nonprofits, foundations, companies, governments, and individuals. The impact made would not be possible without the commitment of participating nonprofits and the help of generous GAgives partners. GCN’s deepest thanks go out to:

- The growing community of Georgia nonprofits taking part, over 3,000 strong, whose compelling #GivingTuesday campaigns drive donors to take action;

- ASO Advertising, who captured the spirit of the new #GivingTuesday partnership in an evolved GAgives brand, and propelled new levels of public support with creative multimedia appeals;

- Our public relations team at Edelman Atlanta, who continue to generate a massive awareness groundswell through traditional and digital media;

- The support received on-air, online, and in print from media partners WSB-TV Family 2 Family, Cox Media Group, WXIA-TV 11Alive, AutoTrader.com, Atlanta Business Chronicle, Georgia News Network, and from the many media outlets across the state who covered the campaign;

- The Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s Mike Luckovich, who created yet another inspiring GAgives cartoon;

- Corporate sponsors Arby's Foundation, Gas South, Wells Fargo, Cox Enterprises, The Coca-Cola Company, Chick-fil-A Foundation, and State Bank & Trust, who incentivize and inspire giving with generous challenge grants and in-kind contributions (along with prizes funded by GCN and its national nonprofit job board, Work for Good);

- Governor Nathan Deal, whose enthusiastic and influential endorsement each year has confirmed the state’s commitment to giving back;

- The visionary leadership of the 92nd Street Y’s #GivingTuesday team, supporting the success of local campaigns like ours;

- And all the businesses and civic leaders, too many to list, who donated their influence, resources, and expertise for Georgia’s greater good.

“When Georgia’s nonprofits benefit, so does Georgia,” said GCN President and CEO Karen Beavor. “GCN is grateful for all the efforts, great and small, that played a part in making Nov. 28, 2017 Georgia’s biggest day of giving yet.”