CHARLOTTE — As Advent quickly approaches, so does a day of great generosity. Reserve some money from shopping on Black Friday and Cyber Monday to give to Catholic-related charitable efforts on Tuesday, Dec. 2.
The Tuesday after Thanksgiving has become known as “Giving Tuesday” and provides a way to combat the commercialization that has attempted to overtake the true meaning of Christmas. Catholics can focus their charitable giving on this day in numerous ways.
The #iGiveCatholic campaign, a national crowdfunding movement, has grown rapidly since its 2015 inception, engaging Catholic dioceses, schools, ministries and nonprofits.
Giving Tuesday invites faithful stewards to “Give Thanks, Give Back and Give Catholic.” The campaign is open online Nov. 17 through Dec. 9 on www.igivecatholic.org. Its new website features additional ways to give, including Venmo and PayPal.
This year, more than 50 U.S. dioceses are joining forces, amplifying the impact of Catholic giving. In 2024, the campaign raised more than $23 million from nearly 58,000 donors across all 50 states and 20 countries, demonstrating the breadth of support for Catholic ministries.
In the Diocese of Charlotte, there are 34 parishes, schools, ministries and organizations to give to through www.igivecatholic.org this year, including:
Appalachian State Catholic Campus Ministry
Catholic Charities Diocese of Charlotte
Charlotte Catholic High School
Christ the King Catholic High School
Davidson College Catholic Campus Ministry
High Point University Catholic Campus Ministry
Our Lady of the Assumption School
St. Margaret Mary Catholic Church
Thea House Catholic Campus Ministry
UNC Charlotte Catholic Campus Ministry
UNC Greensboro Catholic Campus Ministry
Wake Forest University Catholic Campus Ministry
Western Carolina Catholic Campus Ministry
Other opportunities to give
There are several other local Catholic-related charitable efforts you can consider giving to this season, too.
One option is the Airport Chaplaincy at Charlotte Douglas International Airport. While the chaplaincy is non-denominational in its mission to serve airport travelers and employees, deacons of the diocese are closely involved in its work. Chaplains provide support and assistance to thousands who travel and work at the airport, one of the nation’s busiest. Consider donating to this ministry at www.cltairportchapel.org.
Other alternatives to ‘give Catholic’ on Giving Tuesday include:
2025 Diocesan Support Appeal (DSA)
Eucharistic Congress
Priests’ Retirement and Benefits Collection
Seminarian Education
Donate a one-time gift or set up a recurring gift to your parish
At www.charlottediocese.org/giving: Find these and other links to donate
— Kimberly Bender