(Columbia, Missouri, December 15, 2021) – The end of the year brings about important events for people all around the world. This involves things like celebrating holidays, visiting relatives and friends, exchanging gifts with loved ones, and preparing for a new year. However, the end of the year is also important to nonprofits—like us at OATS Transit—because of something referred to as “year-end giving.” In this article, we’ll explain what year-end giving is and why it’s so important.
What Is Year-End Giving?
Year-end giving refers to donations made to charities and nonprofit organizations during December—the last month of the year. Making charitable contributions during this time might not sound like a big deal, but nearly 30% of all giving occurs in the month of December, with almost 12% coming in the final three days of the year. These gifts are made during this time for a number of reasons, including:
Giving Back During the Holidays - The majority of people participate in year-end giving as a way of giving back during the holidays. Going shopping and giving gifts are all part of the traditions of the season, but the holidays are also a time to be grateful for what we have and try to make a difference for those who are struggling—leading to a rise in donations as people get into the giving spirit.
Giving Tuesday - Giving Tuesday is a fundraising event on the Tuesday after Thanksgiving that promotes generosity in all its forms, but especially giving to worthy causes after the consumerism of Black Friday and Cyber Monday. This day has become one of the largest days for donations during the year, with nonprofits and charities receiving a record $2.47 billion in 2020. It also kicks off what some refer to as “giving season,” lasting through the end of the year.
End of the Fiscal Year - Another reason a lot of donations are made at the end of the year is that December 31st marks the end of the fiscal year. Because of this, December is the last month for individuals to make charitable contributions and receive the tax incentives that come with them. If their donations are not made by December 31st, then they cannot claim a tax dedication on that year’s tax return.
The end of the year is a time for unity and celebration, so it’s no surprise that so many donors contribute to their favorite charities and nonprofits in the effort to help those who need it the most. Now that we’ve discussed exactly what year-end giving is, let’s look at why it’s so important.
Why Is Year-End Giving Important?
Giving that occurs at the end of the year is incredibly important because it provides crucial funds for nonprofit organizations and charities to carry out their vital work year-round. For many organizations, the donations they receive at the end of the year account for between 26-50% of their annual funds. Without those funds, those organizations would not be able to have the same impact that they do and help the individuals they serve.
Since it is such a popular time to make a contribution, year-end giving also provides an extra boost for organizations that may have partners who match donations, resulting in even more funds for the nonprofit to carry out its mission. This not only helps the organization stay open, but it ensures that they are able to continue making a positive impact in the world through their work.
The Importance of Giving to OATS Transit
At OATS Transit, our mission is to enhance the quality of life for individuals throughout Missouri by providing safe, caring, and reliable transportation services. We safely transport passengers to their destinations, treat them with respect and compassion, and achieve and maintain maximum standards of performance.
As a nonprofit organization, year-end giving is especially important to carry out our mission, as we rely on donations to help fund the critical services we provide for the communities we assist. If you’d like to help us continue to make a difference, consider making a donation and supporting our cause today!
As an OATS Transit donor, you can choose where you want the funds to go—either toward the purchase of a new bus for your community or toward providing a ride to someone in need. Regardless of which one you choose, you are helping provide transportation to thousands of individuals in Missouri.
If you’re looking to learn more about us, we’re a leading specialized transportation agency serving 87 counties in Missouri with our fleet of more than 700 mini-buses and minivans. We serve thousands of Missourians, including senior citizens, people with disabilities, rural citizens, and more, regardless of their sex, age, sexual orientation, national origin, color, or religion.
If you or someone you know needs help with transportation services, contact us today and we’ll help you get where you need to go safely and reliably! If you’d like to learn more about what we do, find out how to ride, volunteer with us, or apply for one of our available driving positions!
“Enhancing quality of life by providing safe, caring & reliable transportation services.”
NonProfitMegaphone
written by Dom Lincoln
December 2021