Giving Tuesday, an unmissable event, falls on December 1, 2026. This is just the right moment for scout troops, schools, and church groups as they are already busy with the wreath and garland sales. It requires only a little more effort on Giving Tuesday, as generosity is already trending.
Last year alone, nonprofits worldwide raised about 4 billion dollars on Giving Tuesday, with 38.1 million people in the US taking part and over 11 million volunteering their time. That is solid proof that people show up when there is a need to help but all they require is that their help should reach the right people.
At Evergreen Industries, we have spent decades helping scout troops, schools, and church groups run successful wreath fundraisers, and Giving Tuesday is a natural extension of that work. As Giving Tuesday falls right after your busiest wreath ordering weeks, most groups already have a warm, engaged list of supporters ready for one more gift.
That timing is one reason many partner groups treat Giving Tuesday as a bonus fundraising day rather than a separate campaign needing months of planning. Below are ten Giving Tuesday ideas that actually fit into a busy fall fundraising calendar, along with a few wreath fundraiser social media ideas you can put to work right away.
1. Pair Giving Tuesday With Your Wreath Fundraiser Wrap Up
If your group already runs a fresh wreath and garland fundraiser through the fall, Giving Tuesday is the ideal closing chapter. Send a short note thanking everyone who ordered a wreath, then invite them to make one more gift toward your troop’s or school’s specific goal, such as new uniforms, instruments, or a mission trip. Explore our full range of fundraising products to see what is still available to offer as a small thank-you gift for donors.
2. Tell One Story Instead of Many Statistics
Donors respond to a single, real story far more than a wall of numbers. Instead of saying your scout troop sold 400 wreaths, introduce one scout and share what the funds mean for them, whether that is a summer camp trip or a badge project. This approach works beautifully for schools and churches too, since a parent or congregation member connects instantly with a name and a face.
3. Set a Specific, Visible Goal
A vague ask like “please donate” rarely inspires action. Instead, name an exact number and purpose: “Help our troop raise 800 dollars for new camping gear.” Track progress publicly on a poster in the church lobby, a school hallway board, or a simple graphic online so supporters can see their gift move the needle in real time.
4. Recruit Peer-to-Peer Fundraisers
Ask a handful of scouts, students, or church youth group members to become mini captains for the day. Give each one a short, shareable message and a personal link or QR code so their friends and family can give directly through them. Friendly competition between peer fundraisers often doubles participation compared with a single group-wide task.
5. Use Wreath Fundraiser Social Media Ideas to Build Buzz
Giving Tuesday is a social media holiday at its core, so lean into it. Post a short video of scouts loading wreaths for delivery, share a behind-the-scenes photo of your church volunteers assembling garland orders, or run a simple countdown across your last week of posts. For more inspiration, check out our guide on building a social media fundraising strategy that keeps supporters engaged well past December.
6. Go Live for a Few Minutes
A short live video on Facebook or Instagram, even just five minutes long, creates real energy. Show your team thanking donors by name, reveal a mini milestone as it happens, or let a scout leader or pastor explain exactly where the funds are going. Live content tends to outperform pre-recorded posts because it feels immediate and personal.
7. Offer a Matching Gift Window
Ask a local business, a board member, or a generous church family to match donations for the first hour of Giving Tuesday or up to a set dollar amount. A matching gift creates urgency and gives supporters a reason to give sooner rather than later, since their dollar suddenly goes twice as far.
8. Start Warming Up Your Audience Early
The most successful Giving Tuesday for nonprofits campaigns rarely start on the day itself. Begin teasing the day about two weeks out with a countdown, a sneak peek photo, or a short email explaining what the funds will support. By the time Giving Tuesday arrives, your community is already primed and ready to give.
9. Make the Donation Process Effortless
Every extra click or confusing form can cost you a donor. Whether you use a simple online form, a QR code on a flyer, or a table set up after a church service, make sure giving takes less than a minute. Giving decisions tend to change in minutes, so make the entire process a quick one.
10. Follow Up With Genuine Thanks
The relationship should not end when the donation does. Send a heartfelt thank-you message within a day or two, share a short recap of what was raised, and if possible, include a photo or update showing the impact in action. Groups that follow up thoughtfully often see donors return for future wreath and garland fundraisers, as genuine gratitude helps build lasting trust and stronger supporter relationships.
A Few More Giving Tuesday Fundraiser Ideas Worth Trying
Beyond the list above, consider hosting a small wreath decorating demonstration at a school open house or church gathering the weekend before Giving Tuesday. It gives supporters a hands-on reason to stop by, and it naturally opens the door to talking about your fundraiser and your cause. You could also create a simple leaderboard for scout patrols or class sections competing for the most donors, which tends to bring out friendly enthusiasm among younger participants.
Why This Matters for Scout Troops, Schools, and Churches
Groups like scout troops, school programs, and congregations already understand the value of community generosity, since so much of what they do relies on the support of families and neighbors.
Giving Tuesday gives that generosity a name and a date on the calendar. Pairing it with your existing wreath fundraiser means you are not starting from zero. You already have a warm list of supporters who ordered a wreath or garland this season, and Giving Tuesday is your chance to say thank you while inviting one more act of generosity before the year wraps up.
Whether your group is new to Giving Tuesday or has run one for years, the ideas above are simple enough to execute with a small volunteer team and a few hours of planning. You do not need a big budget, just a clear task, a genuine story, and a little momentum from the wreath season you already have underway.
Visit our fundraising resources page for more seasonal tips, or browse our Evergreen Industries shop to see the fresh wreaths, swags, and garlands that make Evergreen Industries a trusted partner for scout troops, schools, and churches every holiday season. If you are still weighing which fundraising activities fit your group best, our guide on choosing fundraising activities for your organization is a useful next stop.
