Is charitable giving as mysterious as it seems?

Hi,

I might be biased, given that I’m the editor of Future Perfect, but I really think that the world needs more journalism like Future Perfect. It’s where we explain the global problems and challenges that are important, but aren’t necessarily in the news, and the people and institutions trying to do as much good as they can for our world and the people in it. It’s some of Vox’s most unique journalism — and some of its most hopeful.

This year, for Giving Tuesday, we wanted to take another look at charitable giving. Giving to an organization whose values you believe in is one way that many of us do good in the world, but it can also feel a little mysterious. So today, we’re taking a look at why so many organizations ask you to give sooner, rather than later and how you can give as effectively as possible. And yes, we have a classic explainer, too; Kelsey Piper updated "Giving Tuesday, explained" for 2023.

I hope that our work clears up some of the questions that I know many of our readers have, and that they inspire you to give, no matter how big or small the contribution. And if you believe in the work that we’re doing at Future Perfect, and have a little leftover, I hope that you’ll consider making a Giving Tuesday gift to Vox today. Our journalism is and always will be free -- no paywalls and no subscriptions necessary. And we can do that in part because of our contributors, who directly support our mission to help more people understand the world around them. Advertising alone isn’t enough to sustain us (or many other newsrooms, for that matter), and that’s why we’re turning to you.

Will you make a Giving Tuesday contribution of $20 now?

Yes, I'll give

Thank you, really. Future Perfect exists because of readers like you, who are interested in knowing not only what problems exist in the world, but what we can do about it. We’re so grateful to have you here.

Bryan Walsh

Editorial director, Future Perfect