5 Reasons to Give Monthly
“I have found that among its other benefits, giving liberates the soul of the giver.”
What is the point of Giving Tuesday?
The Giving Tuesday campaign is a worldwide day dedicated to elevating the work of nonprofits and charities. Described in simple terms: a day that encourages people to do good–Giving Tuesday belongs to any organization that chooses to celebrate it, and to any degree they see fit. In 2020, the movement generated $503 million of online donations for organizations just in the US. This number made a record-breaking jump in 2021 to $2.7 billion given. With its sole focus on giving, these community-raised funds go towards causes like climate change, literacy, refugee support, achievement gaps, veterans, domestic violence and trauma victims, the eradication of poverty, and other social issues.
For City of Dreams, this particular Giving Tuesday is special to us. Why?
November 29th is actually the City of San Francisco’s declared “City of Dreams Day,” in honor of this organization’s fight to alleviate the trauma of poverty among Bayview kids. In 2007, then Mayor Gavin Newsom proclaimed this day as ours for our vision to shift the poverty cycle in the most neglected part of the city. This year, we are sharing our day with this global giving movement. Giving Tuesday presents our small nonprofit with an opportunity to be heard more than any other normal day. Its meaning prompts people to see us differently, directly, and with compassion.
As a small nonprofit, days like Giving Tuesday are huge for us & our end-of-year efforts. But, we have a dedicated program to keeping us afloat all throughout the year. This special community is called Dreamville: a subset of our supporters who give monthly, empowering our kids with guaranteed support throughout the year. We compiled a list of why Dreamville’s structure keeps us running.
Reasons to Give Monthly
Provides support during slower months: Nonprofit work requires sustainable tactics for making donations last. Monthly donations contribute to keeping us afloat during months when our donations wane.
Special perks: Dreamville members receive exclusive access to the ongoings of the kids. When you join this tight-knit community, you will receive regular updates on where your money is going and how the youth are progressing. Members get first access to City of Dreams events, welcome goodies, annual gifts, exclusive news, and the overall inside scoop!
Make a little go a long way: We always say that the Bayview District is composed of resilient individuals, and we learned to be just like them. Monthly donations, no matter the amount, are used to feed the youth, fund our programs, pay for field trip expenses, and so much more. Sustained support shows the kids that people are always rooting for them, even when they think otherwise. These monthly donations go a long way, and we assure to use them directly for the wellbeing of the youth.
Gives Nonprofits Flexibility in Planning and Budgeting: When funds are consistent, we can continue to propel forward towards our mission. Inconsistent funds force us to cut programs, planned activities, staff, and other resources that benefit our youth. A great deal of nonprofit work requires fundraising–if we could accomplish our goals in a day’s work, we would! Community support gives nonprofits like us the flexibility to confidently plan our future impact.
Convenient and Affordable: When donating to an organization you care about, you’d want the flexibility to make the ultimate decision on the amount. Instead of a rigid ask, Dreamville donors can choose how much they give monthly–remaining in the program regardless of the amount they decide on. Automatic monthly donations also make it effortless to contribute.
The Big Picture?
Our goal is to ultimately end the cycle of poverty among these kids and their families. Our work is meant to target healing and reclamation of dignity from the ground up, from childhood to adulthood. By generating new experiences, healthy habits, and an upheaval in self-esteem we project our youth to grow up to be confident individuals with less of a chance to collapse under destitution. Monthly contributions to our cause give us more power for good. They reinforce our mission and push us 1 step closer to ending their distress.
You can contribute to the alleviation of pain, trauma, and hopelessness among children who deserve love and security–on days like Giving Tuesday or all year round.