Yes, this is a second Giving Tuesday. This charitable day typically falls the Tuesday after Thanksgiving, but in light of COVID-19-related financial hardships, the movement has organized #GivingTuesdayNow, a global day of giving and unity on May 5, 2020.
#GivingTuesdayNow encourages us to support healthcare and essential workers, unsung heroes and grassroots organizations. Think about making a donation to local theaters, businesses and other organizations that make a difference in your community.
Below, you’ll find a list of NJ organizations with an urgent need for additional funding, and you can also check this list to find local businesses in need.
American Repertory Ballet
The ballet brings classical and contemporary dance to audiences and students across NJ through artistic and educational programs and also includes the Princeton Ballet School.
Arts Council of Princeton
The Arts Council of Princeton is asking for 1,000 community gifts to continue its work with neuro-atypical students enrolled in Adapted Art classes and its virtual community-building arts project, apART together (which has helped deliver more than 800 hand-sewn masks through town).
bergenPAC
This non-profit performing arts center is asking for monetary gifts, or donations through AmazonSmile. The program costs nothing extra to Amazon shoppers, but bergenPAC will receive something each time you make a purchase.
Camden Children’s Garden
The Garden is seeking donations to help make necessary repairs and maintenance, provide plants and seeds for the Camden City Garden Club and to educate and train at-risk youth in environmental science, urban agriculture and job readiness skills.
Community Foodbank of New Jersey
Every $1 donated can help provide three meals. Today, every gift up to $125,000 will be doubled thanks to Bank of America.
Fernbrook Farms Environmental Education Center
Fernbrook Farms’ nonprofit provides hands-on educational experiences that allow children to explore the natural world through unique programs which include caring for animals, expanding facilities, providing for scholarships and more.
Girl Scouts
Both the Girl Scouts Heart of New Jersey and the Girls Scouts of Central and Southern NJ are accepting donations. Aside from the scout’s infamous cookies, the organization invests in building skills and opportunities for young girls.
Historic Cold Spring Village
The museum’s largest fundraiser, Feasting on History, was previously scheduled for today and cancelled due to COVID-19. The village is seeking donations to create virtual programs that will focus on the Age of Homespun.
Hoboken Historical Museum
Today, a group of Trustees and supporters are matching donations up to $2,500. The Hudson County Chamber of Commerce is also matching donations up to $25 that are made at 2:01 pm and 5:51 pm (Hudson County area codes) so if you can get donate at those times, it’s worth even more to the Museum.
Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum
The Intrepid is accepting monetary gifts while using #GivingTuesdayNow to celebrate the men and women who help support the museum’s mission to honor, educate and inspire using the hashtag #IntrepidAmongUs.
The JCC
Support your local JCC this Giving Tuesday, like MetroWest in West Orange or Shimon and Sara Birnbaum in Bridgewater, centers that host a variety of programs (including those for special needs), provide scholarship aid, support seniors and much more.
Liberty Science Center
LSC relies on donations to help “inspire today’s kids to become future scientists, engineers and innovators.” If you’ve ever visited one of the museum’s STEM exhibits or sat inside the biggest planetarium in the Western Hemisphere, consider making a donation.
The Montclair Foundation
This nonprofit awards grants to charitable organizations in the greater Montclair area, like the historic preservation of Van Vleck House & Gardens. Today, the organization is hoping to raise $50,000 to keep funding social services programs.
Morris Museum
Before COVID-19, the museum’s annual Golf Outing, a six-figure fundraiser that supports general operations, was scheduled for today. Now, the museum is asking for donations to three different funds, so you can choose where your money goes: to help pay urgent bills and staff, support the Director’s Discretionary Fund (which supports specific projects for the next six months) or to purchase a membership.
MPAC
This theater relies on contributions to help bridge the gap between ticket sales and operation costs. From purchasing a membership to raising money through AmazonSmile or Facebook and funding a specific need (arts education, The Miracle Project), there’s plenty of charitable options.
NJPAC
Not only does NJPAC host great performances, the center does a lot for the community. NJPAC is looking for donations to help their continued efforts to provide performing arts education to tens of thousands of school children per year and hosts more than 250 free community performances each season.
NJ State Museum
The museum’s foundation will be donating a portion of all funds raised to nonprofits that are providing essential and life supporting services, especially those working in Trenton, like Trenton Area Soup Kitchen, Womanspace and the Rescue Mission of Trenton.
State Theatre
Help keep the arts alive at this New Brunswick staple by donating, becoming a member or purchasing flex tickets, which are redeemable for any future show.
SOPAC
Consider making a donation to the SOPAC 2020 Emergency Fund, where all gifts will be matched by the Board of Governors’ fund.
Studio Players
This non-profit theatre company in Montclair has been performing a variety of shows from hit plays to original works and musicals to children’s theatre since 1937—plus it’s comprised by volunteers.
Trinitas Regional Medical Center
Help support emergency needs caused by COVID-19. Trinitas has discharged 661 COVID-19 patients since March 1!
The YMCA
Consider supporting your local Y, which provides both free and fee-based wellness programs to communities, from cultural events to training sessions and swim lessons to college prep programs.
If you’re looking for more ways to make an impact, you can always donate supplies to healthcare workers, buy gift cards from local businesses and of course, stay home. If there’s a cause that’s near and dear to you, check to see which organizations are actively raising money on Tuesday. For more ideas, head to #GivingTuesdayNow.
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