GivingTuesday is a global day of generosity that follows Thanksgiving, Black Friday, and Cyber Monday. It was created in 2012 as a simple idea: a day that encourages people to do good, born at the 92nd Street Y in New York City. Today, millions of Americans take part, and this year it falls on Tuesday, December 1. 

For many of the people who support Heart for Africa, it’s a day to give alongside others who share the same hope, and a natural place to begin your year-end giving. There’s a reason to look at your giving before the year ends, too: under the new US tax rules for 2026, even if you take the standard deduction, you may be able to deduct up to $1,000 in cash gifts to charity, or $2,000 for married couples filing jointly. On December 1, you can give through the link below, and gifts made by December 31 count toward your 2026 giving. If you’re curious about why so many people give at this time of year, we wrote about why people give to charity at the end of the year. 

“One of the things I appreciate most about year-end giving is the confidence it gives us as a team heading into a new year. There is such a difference between starting January feeling like we’re already trying to catch up and starting with a strong foundation to build on. Knowing that people have chosen to invest in the year ahead allows us to look forward with hope, plan with purpose, and focus our energy on what matters most: the children, families, and people we serve at Project Canaan. That kind of generosity means more than donors may ever realize.” Lisa Borders, Heart for Africa Content Strategist

5 Ways to Give to Heart for Africa at Year End 

Every way of giving below is explained below, so you can choose the one that fits you best. 

1. Online 

Giving online is the quickest way to give, and it’s the easiest way to take part in GivingTuesday itself. It only takes a few minutes. 

2. Monthly 

A monthly gift spreads your support across the year, so Project Canaan receives steady support every month. It’s a simple way to turn year-end generosity into something that lasts. 

3. Check 

If you prefer to give by mail, a check works well, and you can send it to Heart for Africa, PO Box 21287, Chattanooga, TN 37424. A check that’s mailed and stamped by December 31 counts toward 2026, even if it reaches us after the new year begins. 

4. Donor-Advised Fund 

If you have a donor-advised fund, you can recommend a grant to Heart for Africa through your fund’s online platform by searching for us by name or by our EIN, 36‑4509500. Fund sponsors set their own year-end processing deadlines, and some ask for grant recommendations in early December, so it helps to submit yours early. Your tax deduction generally comes when you contribute to your fund, so a grant to us doesn’t create a new one. 

5. Stock 

If you’ve held stock for more than a year, giving the shares directly can mean you avoid capital gains tax on the growth, and if you itemize, you may be able to deduct their full market value. Ask your broker to transfer the shares electronically, and contact our team first so we can share the transfer details and issue the right receipt. Transfers can take time, so it’s worth starting early, and your tax professional can help you decide whether stock is right for you. 

What’s New for Giving in 2026 

There are new US tax rules for gifts made in 2026. If you take the standard deduction, you can deduct up to $1,000 in cash gifts to charity for the 2026 tax year, or $2,000 for married couples filing jointly. If you itemize, only the charitable gifts above 0.5% of your adjusted gross income count toward your deduction. The new standard-deduction benefit doesn’t apply to contributions to a donor-advised fund. Every situation is different, so we’d encourage you to talk with a tax professional about what works best for you. 

Give in Honor or in Memory of Someone 

Some of the most meaningful gifts are the ones given for someone else. A gift in honor of a friend, a family member, or a special occasion is a way to celebrate them, and a gift in memory is a way to remember someone you love. You can do this by selecting the box right on the giving form to select the type of dedication you want to make and add the name of the person you would like to honor. If you would like a personalized note to share with the person you are honoring, you can reach out to our team and we are happy to share that with you. 

Give Alongside Others This GivingTuesday 

When you give to Heart for Africa this GivingTuesday, your gift joins gifts from people across the country who care about the more than 470 children in our care at Project Canaan. Together, those gifts keep the village going for the children and for the aunties and uncles who care for them. You can give on GivingTuesday or any day this December through our year-end giving page by clicking below.