📊 Did You Know?
- Giving Tuesday is now the world’s largest generosity movement, with more than 90 countries participating.
- 35 million Americans engaged through volunteering, fundraising, and acts of kindness that day in 2021.
- In 2022 alone, people in the United States donated an estimated $3.1 billion in just 24 hours.
- 35 million Americans engaged through volunteering, fundraising, and acts of kindness that day in 2021.
Giving Tuesday is often described as the global day of giving, but in reality, it is so much more than a date on the calendar. It is a movement that unites people, organizations, and communities around the idea that generosity has the power to transform the world. This year, I was honored to represent NEST4US at the Giving Tuesday US Community Leaders Gathering in New Orleans.
From the moment I arrived, I felt the energy of changemakers ready to learn, collaborate, and take bold action. The sessions offered both inspiration and practical strategies. I remember thinking to myself,
“These are the kinds of conversations that fuel movements.”
We exchanged stories of what had worked in our own communities, shared the challenges we were facing, and brainstormed fresh approaches to community engagement.
I was particularly struck by one participant who was able to put my thoughts into this all-encapsulating sentence:
“We may each be doing different work, but at the heart of it all, we’re building a kinder, more compassionate world.”
That reflection resonated deeply with me because it perfectly reflects our mission at NEST4US, too.
The highlight for me came when we stepped outside the conference rooms and into the community. Together, we joined the Arc of Greater New Orleans (ArcGNO) to sort and recycle Mardi Gras beads alongside individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. It was a joyful and hands-on reminder that service does not have to be complicated to be meaningful.
As I stood there laughing and working with the group, I thought,
“This is the spirit of NEST4US, Giving Tuesday, and service as a whole in action—not just talking about kindness, but living it.”
As the youngest attendee at the conference, I felt honored to bring the voice of the next generation to the table. Youth voices are not only the future; they are essential to the present. I recalled what Shreyaa and I shared in our reflections on the FAO World Food Forum Flagship Event: systemic change requires all voices at the table, especially those of young people.
I left New Orleans with a renewed sense of purpose, countless new connections, and a deeper belief in the power of collaboration. Giving Tuesday reminded me that generosity is not meant to be celebrated once a year. It is a daily practice that can transform lives when carried forward consistently. At NEST4US, we are committed to keeping that spirit alive 365 days a year.
—Esha Venkat, COO of NEST4US, August 2025
