'Tis the season of charitable giving, and small businesses and nonprofits really need your help to stay afloat this year with COVID-related shutdowns still in effect. Enter: Giving Tuesday, the oft-overlooked but vitally important and globally observed day of giving back. The idea is that, after spending all those hard-earned dollars on gifts for your friends and fam, you can put some money where it matters and help out a charity in need. Matt Baume has already rounded up some worthy causes to donate to for The Stranger (which is also accepting donations, of course!), but below, you'll find a list of Giving Tuesday specials—local organizations that are matching donations and donation-based giveaways—as well as upcoming fundraisers and charitable events (which you'll also find on our fundraising calendar), warm clothing drives, and other ways to show up for your community.

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Jump to: Donation Matches | Giveaways | Drives | Fundraising Events | Other Ways to Give

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Giving Tuesday Donation Matches

These organizations will match donations, so your contribution will count for double

Ballard Food Bank

Elizabeth Gregory Home
Matching up to $5,000

Estelita's Library

FareStart
Matching up to $50,000

Historic Seattle

Keep Music Live WA
Matching up to $10,000

Mary's Place
Matching up to $25,000

Northwest Film Forum
Matching up to $3,000

Seattle Public Library

SIFF
Matching up to $50,000

United Way of King County

Facebook is also matching donations up to $7 million, if your favorite organization is hosting a Facebook fundraiser.

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Giving Tuesday Giveaways & Events

Dog Gone Seattle Past Event Like List
Join Dog Gone Seattle on Giving Tuesday for a livestreamed meet and greet with adorable puppies Matthew, Courtney, David, and Jenn, plus some words from founder Jenny Nordin and "Puppy Director" Toni Crane.

Scarecrow Video
Anyone who donates to the video store on Giving Tuesday will be entered into a drawing for a Blu-Ray bundle that includes Perfect Strangers and The Eleventh Commandment.

Skate Like a Girl
Donate to this nonprofit, whose mission is "empowering young womxn and implementing equity through the sport of skateboarding," at specific times, and you might win prizes: Nike Skateboarding shoes between 2 and 3 pm, and an evo kit and Oxford Pennant camp flag between 7 pm and midnight.  

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Food, Clothing & Donation Drives

Caffe Vita/Caffe Fiore
For their annual holiday drive, the coffee chain is partnering with Community Passageways, an organization that "creates alternatives to incarceration for young adults by rebuilding our communities through relationships centered on love, compassion, consistency." Stop by any of their cafes to make a donation.
Ongoing

Heart of Washington Food & Book Drive Past Event Like List
In partnership with Pacific Northwest Ballet and WashMasks Mutual Aid, join Seattle Rep in supporting local migrant farm workers by giving gently used food pantry items, hygiene items, and books. 
December 4-7, Seattle Repertory Theatre (Seattle Center)

Mighty-O Donuts
For a side of generosity with your vegan donut purchase, pick up a gift ticket at one of Mighty-O's cafes to participate in a toy drive for Mary's Place.
Ongoing

Mud Bay
The pet store chain has two ways to donate this December. You can choose an ornament from one of their in-store holiday giving trees and donate a specific item that local animal welfare organizations need. Or, when you purchase products from one of their "Tons of Love" partners for yourself (like Farm Fresh Pet Foods), they'll donate food, products, or cash to local shelters.
Ongoing

Toys for Tots - Toy Drive! Past Event Like List
Bring a new, unwrapped toy to contribute to the KIRO 7 Cares Toy Drive, and you'll score a free Jones Soda from Tom Douglas's Serious TakeOut, plus a complimentary order of pizza-spiced tater tots with any purchase.
December 5, Serious TakeOut (Ballard)

Warm for the Winter Coat Drive Past Event Like List
Stop by the Alderwood Mall to drop off your gently used coats, hats, scarves, and gloves with the Volunteers of America.
Through December 11, Alderwood Mall (Lynnwood)

Warm Winter Drive Past Event Like List
Got any extra warm clothes you need to donate? Drop them off—along with fresh fruit, period and first aid kits, and non-perishable food items—at the University Heights Center's Southwest entrance.
December 18, University Heights Center (University District)

West Seattle Junction Coat Drive Past Event Like List
Residents of West Seattle Island can donate cozy coats to those in need through the West Seattle Food Bank's Clothesline. 
December 6, West Seattle Junction

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Upcoming Fundraisers & Charitable Events

DECEMBER 1-8

Virtual Seattle AIDS Walk Past Event Like List
Join Lifelong wherever you are for a virtual AIDS Walk that you can complete any time over the course of a week. You'll be helping to raise funds for vital HIV treatment and prevention services. 

DECEMBER 3

Art for All Ball Past Event Like List
Path with Art's virtual Wonderland-themed runway event and fundraiser will delight you with theatrical performances, music, and more in partnership with Pot Pie Factory and Rachel’s Ginger Beer. (P.S. online orders through PWA's website have closed for food and drink orders, but you can still order directly through those websites here and here). 

DECEMBER 3-7

Providence O’Christmas Trees partners with Bloodworks Northwest Past Event Like List
Providence Senior and Community Services' annual fundraiser Past Event Like List will partner with BloodWorks Northwest for pop-up donation sites at the Moore Theatre and Amazon's campus.
Moore Theatre & Amazon Campus (Belltown & South Lake Union)

DECEMBER 4-18

Virtual Figgy Pudding Caroling Competition Past Event Like List
Just because caroling is forbidden in public doesn't mean you can't belt out your Mariah Carey-inspired rendition of "Silent Night" in your own home. This virtual edition of the annual Figgy Pudding Caroling Competition will feature nightly streams for you to sing along to for the same cause as always: the Pike Market Senior Center & Food Bank.

DECEMBER 5

Providence O'Christmas Trees 2020 Virtual Gala & Auction Past Event Like List
Providence Senior and Community Services will continue the tradition (virtually this time) of raising money for its programs with a night of holiday cheer, including a performance from the Northwest Boychoir and R&B/soul singer Allen Stone, Christmas stories with Shellie Hart from WARM 106.9, a visit from Santa, and a display of 12 extravagant Christmas trees that you can bid on. 

SMooCH 2020 Past Event Like List
The charity circuit will get an indie-rock soundtrack as a pitch-perfect lineup gathers to help raise funds for Seattle Children's Hospital. Attendees will get the unique treat of pairing their online concert-viewing experience (the lineup for which includes Jason Isbell, Kim Gordon, J Mascis, Angel Olsen, Ben Gibbard, and Yuno) with a culinary party box from all-star local chefs like Ethan Stowell, Makini Howell, Edouardo Jordan, Tamara Murphy, and others.

DECEMBER 8

Rainier Valley Food Bank and Geraldine's Counter Present: Our 13th Annual Cookie Party Past Event Like List
Beloved diner Geraldine's Counter will team up with the Rainier Valley Food Bank to host a takeout version of their annual cookie party, with mac and cheese, salad, raffle tickets, and cookie-making supplies available for pickup at Geraldine's. Tune in to a virtual party for music and camaraderie and to see the numbers drawn for raffle prizes.

DECEMBER 11-13

Seattle *Virtual* Jingle Bell Run Past Event Like List
Put on your jingle-jangle attire and jog around your neighborhood to benefit the Arthritis Foundation in this remote Jingle Bell Run. 

DECEMBER 12-13

No Child Sleeps Outside Virtual Scavenger Hunt Past Event Like List
All you need is a phone and internet connection to participate in this benefit for homeless families through Mary's Place, which will take place virtually in the form of a socially distanced scavenger hunt on the Let's Roam app. 

DECEMBER 13

Gingerbread Barn-Raiser 2020 Past Event Like List
At this fourth annual fundraiser presented by Sawhorse Revolution (an organization that aims to empower youth through carpentry and craft), guests will collaborate with their quarantine pods (or go it alone) on edible structures (kits for which can be picked up on December 3 or 4) to contribute to "the world's most progressive Gingerbread village"—think sustainable gardens and art museums. 

DECEMBER 15

Eat, Drink & Be Generous Past Event Like List
As part of United Way of King County's series of online fundraisers this season for local restaurants affected by COVID-19, Marination's Kamala Saxton will teach you how to mix either a margarita or a bourbon sour, depending on which kit you choose. The "elevated" ticket comes with an appetizer as well. 

THROUGH DECEMBER 13

Mercer Island Christmas Tree Lot Past Event Like List
Support the Mercer Island Youth & Family Center by buying your locally grown Christmas tree from this lot. 
Mercer Island Youth & Family Services

THROUGH DECEMBER 20

Christmas Tree Sales at El Centro de la Raza Past Event Like List
Find your fresh, organically grown Christmas tree or Hanukkah bush at El Centro de la Raza's annual sale. They stock Nordmans, Nobles, and Douglas Firs in various heights. If you already have a tree, you can also purchase one to donate to the home of a low-income family.
El Centro de la Raza (Beacon Hill)

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Other Noteworthy Ways to Give

Community Fridges
Food security is essential all year round, but with the cold weather kicking in and with that surplus of nonperishables we know you have laying around from your first quarantine grocery haul, now is an especially great time to drop off supplies at your nearest community fridge and/or food bank. The former, volunteer-provided fridges that operate on a “take what you need, leave what you can” model and sprung from early COVID-19 mutual aid efforts, can be found in neighborhoods all around town (like in Beacon Hill outside Soft Spot and Chinatown-International District in the Danny Woo Community Gardens) and lean toward things like fresh produce and prepared sandwiches. (You can also donate to @seattlecommunityfridge on Venmo.) You know the drill with food banks: They need things like canned beans, freeze-dried foods, and other items that won’t go bad. You can also donate to the Washington Food Fund Like List , which local organizations like Food Lifeline, Northwest Harvest, and Second Harvest depend on to distribute food to hundreds of food banks across the state, including rural communities.

Glo's Cafe's Community Meal Program
The Capitol Hill breakfast spot allows you to donate a hot meal for a person in need. 

Good Food Kitchens
A $10 donation to this local organization will help them meet their goal of delivering 10,000 locally made meals to those in need this holiday season. 

Reuben's Brews Advent Calendar
Donate $1 to Wellspring Family Services to get a punch card for Reuben's Advent Calendar. Every day in December until Christmas Eve, they'll announce a new featured beer, and you'll get a punch on your card if you buy some of it at any time during the month of December. For every six completed punches, you'll be eligible for prizes (Reuben's swag).

Russell Wilson's Food Insecurity Aprons
The Seahawks quarterback has teamed up with United Way of King County and local artist Enjoli Izidor to make special "Let Russ Cook" aprons, all proceeds from which benefit UWKC's program to deliver food to families in need through DoorDash. You can buy one at Safeway, Albertson's, or online through the Betz Family Winery.

Pike Place Market's Charitable Marketplace
This is usually a bustling time for Pike Place vendors, but this year's a different story. You can support your favorite Pike Place businesses directly by purchasing products and donating directly through their charitable marketplace.

Pike Place Market Atrium Kitchen's Nourished Neighborhood
Founded in 2017 by Chef Traci Calderon, this program brings hot, multi-course meals to senior and low-income communities in Seattle. You can serve as a volunteer to help deliver free meals, or you can show your support by donating.  

Tinte Past Event Like List Cellars’ Holiday Cheer for the Past Event Like List Elderly Past Event Like List
Spread some holiday goodwill by penning a heartfelt letter or note to residents of the Northshore Senior Center. You can mail your message to the center or drop it off at Tinte Cellars’ Hollywood Hill tasting room before December 15.

Wing Luke Museum's Mary's Place Gift Set 
Half of the proceeds of this $20 kid-friendly gift set (which includes an adorable dumpling ornament, a coloring sheet featuring Punching Panda, and a "100% genuine" letter from Santa) will be donated to Mary's Place's No Child Sleeps Outside campaign.

United Way of King County's COVID-19 Volunteering Opportunities
Want to help assemble food packages for Native families in need? Deliver meals to children? Sew face masks for Green Plate Special? United Way of King County is your hub of volunteer opportunities that you can do safely during COVID.