N

early 30% of all annual 
charitable donations are made 
in December, according to 
research conducted by the consultant 
Nonprofit Source. The timing is 
driven by both a desire to maximize 
end-of-year tax deductions and 
simply seasonal generosity. It may 
be a uniquely American behavior to 
support worthy causes during the 
holidays.
Charitable organizations often 
schedule their annual fundraising 

campaigns to commence in the fourth 
quarter to tap into the timing of 
giving by the average donor. However, 
it may offer greater benefit to the 
organization if donors spread out their 
support via monthly gifts, according 
to Alice Faust, development officer at 
ACLU of Ohio.
“Most charitable organizations 
are able to take automatic monthly 
donations that you can put on your 
credit card or deduct from your bank 
account,” Faust said. “When you 

Organizations 
Depend on End-of-
Year Donations

BILL MOTCHAN CLEVELAND JEWISH NEWS

GIFT GIVING

30 | NOVEMBER 14 • 2024 
J
N

PHOTO BY LIZA SUMMER

DETROIT

WHERE brilliant things HAPPEN

Be Brilliant!

Support our work by donating 
or volunteering. 

Scan the code below or visit:

brilliantcities.org/detroit/GivingTuesday 

Be a catalyst for 
Kid Success Neighborhoods!

What if? Inspired by the vision 

of co-founders Carolyn and Jim Bellinson, 

and Cindy Eggleton, our model began with a 

question: What if? What if every child in Detroit 

entered kindergarten ready to thrive? What 

if existing programs and resources aligned 

to benefit children and families together? 

Today, Brilliant Detroit hubs operate in 

every district across the city, in addition to 

Pontiac. Together, we’re working with, for, 

and alongside our neighbors.

Celebrate with Us! In 2024, we met our goal 

of committing to 24 neighborhoods in Detroit 

and launched Brilliant Cities to spread our 

Kid Success movement nationwide.

Let’s continue to work together 
to assure that zip codes do not 
predict whether a child’s
future is bright or not.

