Asha Curran, Director, Center for Innovation and Social Impact, 92nd Street Y.
92nd Street Y (92Y), in partnership with the United Nations Foundation, founded #GivingTuesday in 2012. Just one year later, over 10,000 charities, volunteer organizations, corporations, and foundations in 40+ countries participated in various ways in #GivingTuesday. Asha Curran, Director of the Center for Innovation and Social Impact at 92Y, provided us with an overview of the exciting growth of #GivingTuesday and the impact of that growth.
Asha discussed the lessons learned as well as the innovations and highlights of the past two years – highlights including Baltimore’s amazing campaign in 2013. The campaign involved businesses, nonprofits, citizens, and Baltimore’s Mayor’s Office coming together with the goal of raising $5 million as a city. The effort included city-wide events such as a food truck rally, a CrossFit day, a dedicated #GivingTuesday ice cream flavor, and more activities that inspired the city to work together to raise funds for charity. Baltimore surpassed its goal bringing in $5.6 million.
What has been done (the successes and the mis-steps) provided a springboard for our discussions about what can be done here. Baltimore was able to crown itself “the most generous city.” What #GivingTuesday goal can Chicago reach (and surpass), and what crown can it claim for itself? 
