Will You Put Your Philanthropy First by Giving First?

Stories

Will You Put Your Philanthropy First by Giving First?

Written by Michelle Milford

Monday, 24 October 2022

Will You Put Your Philanthropy First by Giving First?

Traditionally, one of the most popular days of charitable giving, Giving Tuesday falls after Black Friday and Cyber-Monday. Giving First Day flips that script. Before the hustle and bustle of the traditional shopping weekend, we invite you to reflect on the needs of our community and invest in shared values.

In 2021, a collaboration of over 40 non-profits was formed in Milwaukee, WI. This idea, originally set into motion by the Urban Ecology Center, started in part with a need for more collaboration between area nonprofits. By working together, we have the opportunity to strengthen the complex and interconnected landscape of organizations addressing difficult issues and creating robust community assets that all of our neighborhoods need to thrive.

Tom Cramer, Project Kindred’s Executive Director shared, “At times, unfortunately, it can feel like we are competing for the same resources, but [on Giving First Day], we remember that there is so much more to be gained when we work together!”

Ken Leinbach, UEC’s Executive Director reflected with a sense of pride, “It has been incredible to see the seed of this idea grow into a powerful collaboration”.

Not only are we grateful to the organizations and donors participating in Giving First, but we are also excited about what this means for the future of the environment. By focusing on philanthropy before Black Friday and Cyber-Monday, we can begin to address global environmental issues caused by the mass consumption of goods like fast fashion, plastic pollution, food waste, and more.

Ken praised the movement by saying, “Giving First encourages our community to approach the holiday season with abundance and generosity towards nonprofits who, in this typical time of joy, are often faced with fear and scarcity.”

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Through the generosity of people like you, we are thankful for the opportunity to connect more people in cities to nature and each other!

Put Your Philanthropy First by Giving First on Tuesday, November 22. #givingfirstday

To give or learn more, click here.

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Michelle Milford

Michelle is UEC's Development Communications Manager. With a degree in Zoology and Environmental Studies, she began her career as a zookeeper. An American badger remains her favorite animal - having raised one from a cub. After making some difficult professional decisions, Michelle ended up in the nonprofit sector where she’s happily stayed for 8+ years. Having started in January 2022, she still feels incredibly lucky to be part of the UEC team - a team who, like her, cares deeply about the environment and those, both human and not, that depend on it. When she’s not at the UEC, you can find her exploring the outdoors with her husband, two young children and their deaf English setter.