Philanthropy is a vital component of community development and positive social change. From individual acts of kindness to long-term and continuous donations, philanthropy has the power to improve society and make a difference in the lives of others.

At its core, philanthropy is about generosity, compassion, and a commitment to improving the world. It can significantly impact people's lives. From supporting local food banks to funding medical research, philanthropy can help meet critical needs and solve pressing issues. It can also help build stronger, more resilient communities by fostering collaboration and social cohesion.

Moreover, philanthropy has the power to inspire others. When people see the positive impact that philanthropy can have, they are often motivated to get involved themselves. This creates a ripple effect of generosity and goodwill that can benefit many people over time.

In the Western Balkans, philanthropy has a rich history dating back centuries. Furthermore, Catalyst's research shows that the population and corporate sector are increasingly interested in giving back to their communities. According to Catalyst’s Balkans data, from January 2015 until today, citizens and companies donated more than 571,176,518 EUR for social good.

Diaspora communities are also an important contributor in this trend, specifically in Kosovo, where diaspora contributes to different causes on daily basis. Moreover, many promising initiatives are underway that seek to build philanthropic capacity and promote a culture of giving.

Why Celebrating Philanthropy is Important?

Celebrating philanthropy is important because it recognizes the selfless actions of individuals, organizations, and communities who give their time, money, and resources to help others.

By celebrating philanthropy, we honor those who have made a difference through donations, volunteer work, and advocacy.

Several international philanthropy days are celebrated worldwide, highlighting the importance of generosity, good deeds, and a culture of giving.

This blog post will explore three international and one national philanthropy days and their significance in promoting philanthropy.

  • International Day of Charity

The International Day of Charity is celebrated on September 5 - the anniversary of Mother Teresa's death, on the UN's initiative since 2012. This day serves as an opportunity to remember how important it is to help all those who need help, attention, and care, as well as the importance of philanthropy in mitigating humanitarian crises.

The importance of giving and helping others is highlighted through various humanitarian and volunteer actions, and charity is promoted.

  • #GivingTuesday

#GivingTuesday is perhaps the most widespread and well-known day dedicated to giving. It is celebrated on the first Tuesday after Thanksgiving and was launched in the USA in 2012. Today, it is celebrated in more than 80 countries worldwide, highlighting the importance of generosity and good deeds and promoting philanthropy to develop a culture of giving.

On #GivingTuesday, organizations worldwide use this day to implement various campaigns, and donors – individuals, and companies - support achieving good goals in multiple ways. Both organizations and donors try to mark this day in different, creative ways and through fundraising campaigns, and the results achieved are generally excellent. Millions of people worldwide celebrate this day by supporting good causes and giving for the common good, showing how important, motivating, and inspiring such initiatives can be for the community.

  • European Day of Foundations and Donors

The European Day of Foundations and Donors is celebrated all over Europe every October 1. It was established relatively recently - in 2013, to show gratitude to all foundations and private donors who are of great importance for the sustainability of the nonprofit sector.

In many European countries, this day is an opportunity to organize various events and activities that highlight the importance of philanthropy and the role that foundations and donors play in developing philanthropy and giving for the common good. In the Balkans, the celebration of this day has not yet caught on to a large extent. Still, it represents great potential in celebrating giving and raising awareness of the importance of philanthropy and the daily development of philanthropic activities.

The European Day of Foundations and Donors celebrates philanthropy's critical role in supporting the nonprofit sector and improving society. It is a day to recognize and honor the contributions of foundations and private donors and encourage others to participate in giving.

  • National Philanthropy Day (United States)

The National Day of Philanthropy is another well-known day dedicated to giving and philanthropy. It is initiated by the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) and celebrated through various events, activities, and fundraising campaigns in the USA, Canada, and South America every November 15.

Last year, AFP members initiated and implemented over 130 events and actions that marked this day and collected funds for various good causes. As additional support to the activities and campaigns, a website, NPDLove.com, was launched, and the hashtags #NPDLove and #NationalPhilanthropyDay were created.

National Philanthropy Day provides an opportunity to recognize philanthropy's significant impact and honor those who have contributed to making a difference in the world. It is also a chance for individuals and organizations to celebrate philanthropy and inspire others to get involved in giving.

This day could also be important for philanthropy in Kosovo because of its diaspora in the USA, which has a very active role in Kosovo's philanthropy ecosystem.

Conclusion

In conclusion, philanthropy and giving are critical to the growth and development of communities and societies worldwide. Giving should not be limited to a specific day or event but celebrated and practiced every day.

Whether through small acts of kindness or large-scale donations, philanthropy has the power to transform lives and inspire others to get involved.

International and national philanthropy days are opportunities to highlight the importance of philanthropy, promote giving, and develop a culture of giving.

Through these days, individuals and organizations can mark their commitment to supporting good causes, raising awareness, and inspiring others to give back to their communities. Together, we can positively impact and contribute to developing a better world for future generations.

 

This article is made possible by the generous support of the American people through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). The contents are the responsibility of Catalyst Balkans and do not necessarily reflect the views of USAID or the United States Government.

The Citizen Engagement Activity in Kosovo is a five-year initiative implemented by Kosovar Civil Society Foundation (KCSF) in partnership with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).