Local non-profits are encouraging people to give charitably as part of Giving Tuesday.
Kristi McCann is the Director of Girls Inc. in Monroe County. She's going business-to-business in Bloomington to raise donations and awareness of her non-profit in honor of the event, which uses social media as a catalyst.
It started with Black Friday, next came Cyber Monday and then Giving Tuesday.
Una Osili, Director of Research at the Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy, says last year people gave almost $29 million, more than double the amount donated in 2012.
Osili says this type of movement doesn't just benefit larger, more well-known charities.
"The potential is there for smaller non-profits to benefit from this because they have access to technology and to the media so it can be an equalizer in some respects," Osili says.
Girls Inc. has been planning its strategy for months and partnered with 12 local businesses that will either donate a percentage of their profits or give a flat donation.
McCann says social media has allowed Girls Inc. to reach a larger group
"So, it's the one time of the year to really, I think, help people redirect some of their thought-process," McCann says. "And I think social media has really helped that be successful."
Girls Inc.'s goal is $5,000 this year.