National Philanthropy Day
National Philanthropy Day on November 15 celebrates those who dedicate themselves to doing good deeds and philanthropic actions, such as donating to charity and volunteering.
It is sponsored by the Association of Fundraising Professionals, which dedicates this day to highlighting outstanding charitable activities of that year on their blog. They organize events such as luncheons and award ceremonies in honor of the year's best philanthropists.
By doing this, the AFP hopes to inspire people to be more charitable.
National Philanthropy Day is not a public holiday in the United States.
National Philanthropy Day History
National Philanthropy Day was first celebrated in 1986 and was the idea of philanthropist Douglas Freeman, from the California chapter of the AFP. The day gained the approval of then-President Ronald Reagan, who officially proclaimed November 15 as National Philanthropy Day in the United States, making him the first head of state in the world to dedicate a national day to charitable activities.
Many countries worldwide soon followed America's example, such as Canada, which also declared November 15 as National Philanthropy Day in 2013.
The day is commemorated all across the United States, in the AFP's different chapters. "Now More Than Ever" is National Philanthropy Day's official song.
Philanthropy exists in many forms, but its main goal is to do something good for others and create an impact in the world by identifying the root of problems and creating a lasting solution for them.
Philanthropists either donate to or create charity foundations, education scholarships, grants, art grants, and organizations that advocate for the underprivileged.
How to Observe National Philanthropy Day
Let this day inspire you to perform charitable deeds throughout the year.
- Set up a monthly donation to one of your favorite charities or, if you can't donate money, donate your time instead and volunteer at an organization near you.
- You can also organize a fundraiser for a good cause. Besides raising money, it also creates awareness so that more people can join in.
- On National Philanthropy Day and every other day, just try to be kind to others. Perform small acts of kindness, like paying for someone’s coffee, writing thank-you notes, or helping a neighbor. A little can go a long way!
- You can also volunteer to tutor students or teach a skill to those who may not have access to formal education. Education is a powerful tool for breaking the cycle of poverty.
There are many ways to do good in the world, take time on National Philanthropy Day to learn how to, do and educate yourself and others about the history of philanthropy in the United States.
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