Presbyterian ministries realize major increase in #GivingTuesday contributions

Gifts to the Presbyterian Mission Agency up more than 125 percent over last year

by Pat Cole | Presbyterian News Service

LOUISVILLE — Gifts received by the Presbyterian Mission Agency (PMA) and the Presbyterian Foundation on #GivingTuesday this year totaled $63,379, a significant jump over the $37,440 the two agencies raised on #GivingTuesday last year.

This 69 percent rise in overall giving was buoyed by a 126 percent increase in giving to the PMA. The PMA received $50,075 on #GivingTuesday this year compared with $22,145 in 2016.

#GivingTuesday is held annually on the Tuesday after Thanksgiving and the widely recognized shopping events of Black Friday and Cyber Monday. It was created in 2012 by New York’s 92nd Street Y and the United Nations Foundation. #GivingTuesday’s organizers describe it as “global day of giving fueled by the power of social media and collaboration.”

Since 2014, the PMA and the Foundation have partnered in efforts to encourage giving to the national and international ministries of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) on #GivingTuesday.  In addition, the Foundation provides resources to congregations that seek #GivingTuesday gifts in support of local ministries, and it receives #GivingTuesday gifts for congregations that use the Foundation’s online giving platform.

This year’s increase in PMA gifts was due in part to a major push to involve PMA staff and the board on #GivingTuesday, said Rosemary Mitchell, the PMA’s senior director of Mission Engagement and Support.

PMA staff members who serve on its Leadership Cabinet pledged their support and challenged the remainder of the staff and the PMA board to join them.  Together staff and board gifts totaled $13,517.

“I am extremely grateful for everyone’s gifts, and I am particularly appreciative of the staff and board members who gave on #GivingTuesday,” Mitchell said. “Their gifts on #GivingTuesday and at other times are signs of their commitment to the work God has called us to do at the PMA. I believe the growth in #GivingTuesday gifts that we experienced this year will continue in years to come as more and more generous Presbyterians embrace #GivingTuesday as an avenue to support their church.”

With a PMA goal of $30,000, Mitchell noted that she was looking for a major increase over last year’s efforts, but she said the outcome exceeded her expectation.

Ken Godshall, chair of the PMA Board, echoed Mitchell’s positive assessment of this year’s results and expressed his gratitude for the board and others who made gifts. “I am glad that we accepted the challenge of the Leadership Cabinet, and I am happier than a clam that so many board members took this opportunity to give,” he said.