Giving Tuesday: The Most Giving Season of All

Giving Tuesday, created in 2012, was designed to encourage people to do good, give back to their communities, and observe generosity around the world. This year, Giving Tuesday is December 1, 2020, and Upstart Group decided there was no better time than the season of giving to join in the celebration of generosity.

Giving Tuesday Eclipses Chocolate & Cards

In years past, as the holiday season arrives, Upstart Group traditionally sends holiday gifts or cards as a way to say thank you to those who give so much to our business throughout the year. As we reflected on 2020, we wanted to do something a little bit more to do our part in giving back after enduring a year that has taken so much from so many of us.

Upstart Group asked each of our employees to pick an organization they wanted to support, and we made a charitable contribution to each of them in honor of our clients, partners, colleagues, staff and friends. It is our hope that these contributions will provide support, leave a lasting impact, and not get lost in the sea of holiday cards and gifts.

Get Involved in Giving Tuesday

We invite you to join us in celebrating Giving Tuesday in whatever way you can to support your local community and the organizations you hold dear. To learn more about the organizations that Upstart Group’s team chose to contribute to please see the links below.

Sue Sanford, Co-Founder & CEO chose to support the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention as part of Giving Tuesday.

"My niece Natalie lost her battle and in her suicide, we lost an amazingly talented, intelligent, insightful, and loving young woman. Natalie was a sister, a daughter, a granddaughter, a cousin, a niece, and a friend. My heart hurts and I want to help others who can't see their way through their pain. My encouragement to all is don't ignore feelings and signs in yourself and others - please talk about what's real and get help!" – Sue

Lynn Fulks, Co-Founder & President chose to support REEF (REEF Environmental Education Foundation) as part of Giving Tuesday.

"I have been supporting REEF's ocean conservation mission since 2006 as a citizen scientist, ambassador, and educator. Their programs and data are used by government agencies, scientific and academic institutions, the non-profit sector, the dive industry, and local communities to develop and continue ongoing ocean conservation projects." – Lynn

Jarice Klahn, Executive Administrator chose to support the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation as part of Giving Tuesday.

"My cousin contracted Pulmonary Fibrosis, a debilitating illness that impacts your lungs. For my cousin this was especially difficult as he enjoyed hiking and camping with his family in the great Idaho outdoors an eventually became dependent on oxygen and his health continued to deteriorate before he was able to receive a lung transplant. His late wife and family have continued to be involved with the Pulmonary Fibrosis organization helping to educate and raise awareness on this disease." - Jarice

Jack Chirrick, Sr. Marketing Manager chose to support the Ronald McDonald House Charities of San Diego as part of Giving Tuesday.

"Having recently been in a situation where my daughter and her mother were both admitted to the ICU following the birth, I know how difficult it can be to leave the side of those you love when their outcome is uncertain. While we personally were fortunate to not need Ronald McDonald House services, I know people who have benefitted from the support provided by them." – Jack

Shanna Klahn, Marketing Specialist chose to support Kuna Library District as part of Giving Tuesday.

"Reading is a crucial building block of children's education that grows the imagination, develops communication and language skills, and provides a never-ending source on entertainment that goes beyond a screen. In a world where people are glued to their devices, I believe fostering the love of reading is more important now than ever before which is why I chose to support my local community library that works hard to provide reading programs to those of all ages and has found ways to continue to do so virtually throughout the COVID-19 pandemic." – Shanna

Jessica Sanford, Marketing Administrator chose to support the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention as part of Giving Tuesday.

"My cousin Natalie died from suicide on December 22, 2018. She was 18 and fighting a hard battle with bipolar depression. I miss her everyday and don't want other families to go through what mine when through because of losing a loved one to suicide. As someone who also struggles with depression and has been in a dark place before, but held on to come out the other side, spreading mental health awareness, aid, and suicide help and prevention is extremely important to me." - Jessica

Thank You For Making Our Gifts Possible

This year’s contribution to Giving Tuesday would not have been possible without you. We want to thank you, our clients, partners, colleagues, and friends for your continued support. We’re grateful to you for being part of Upstart Group’s journey.