Giving Tuesday 2016 Ideas: 7 Charities To Donate To And Other Ways To Help

Giving Tuesday, a day created for communities to donate to charities and volunteer, is a holiday of sorts that takes places on the first Tuesday following Thanksgiving. The movement was inspired by the consumerist-driven Black Friday and Cyber Monday and has gained popularity for its fundraising initiatives for non-profit organizations.

The first Giving Tuesday was started in 2012 by Henry Timms, a New York-based executive director for the YMCA. Giving Tuesday was to immediately follow madness of Cyber Monday, Timms planned.

"The way the calendar was developing, someone was going to grab Tuesday," Timms explained to the New York Times. "We wanted to make it about philanthropy."

The holiday encourages people to donate or give back to a nonprofit charity and share the news on social media using the hashtag #GivingTuesday. Below is a roundup of seven nonprofit organizations to consider donating on Giving Tuesday.

United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF): A favorite organization of the late Audrey Hepburn, UNICEF offers humanitarian services and assistance in developing countries, catering specifically to mothers and children.

Dress For Success: This organization is hosting shoe drives all day for Giving Tuesday. Dress for Success gives work-wear and professional attire to low-income women.

Sierra Club: The Sierra Club was first started by the original environmental conservationist John Muir, and the organization supports a range of environmental initiatives, such as wilderness conservation and lending support to help pass the Clean Air Act.

American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU): The ACLU aims to “preserve the individual rights and liberties” under the Constitution. The organization offers leadership and volunteer opportunities and also accepts new members who wish to get involved.

Feeding America: This nonprofit is made up of a network of food banks throughout the U.S. that cater to homeless shelters and provide food to local communities.

Environmental Defense Fund: The EDF provides funds and solutions that target environmental issues. Its initiatives include helping to reduce carbon emissions and working with farmers and ranchers towards sustainability.

Make A Wish Foundation: This organization helps to fulfill the wildest wishes of kids living with life-threatening illnesses. Fundraising and volunteering opportunities are also available.