NEW YORK – As the holiday shopping season gets underway after Thanksgiving with Black Friday sales and Cyber Monday deals, Giving Tuesday was created to remind us to also remember those in need. Nonprofit organizations including those with connections to Greece and Cyprus are reminding everyone to give back to the less fortunate and support the arts and artists on this Giving Tuesday.

Among the nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations to which tax deductible donations can be made, Hellenic Film Society USA released a Giving Tuesday message via email, noting that “It’s been an unforgettable year, and we at the Hellenic Film Society have done our best to help by keeping Greek film fans entertained at home. In March, when we entered lockdown, we launched our YouTube channel featuring films and interviews with Greek filmmakers. To date, our videos have had nearly 10,000 views!

“Then when the pandemic prevented us from presenting our annual theatrical film festival, we went virtual and streamed films to homes nationwide. It was so well received that last month we launched Always on Sunday on Demand, a monthly film series that streams across the globe. Back in the good old days when we could go to movie theaters, we hosted Oscar-winning Greek director Costa-Gavras for the New York premiere of his latest film, Adults in the Room. It's been a busy year!

“Much effort and expense went into all these endeavors so, as some people’s thoughts turn to giving on this Tuesday, we ask you to consider helping us bring Greek films to new audiences. As a volunteer organization, we rely on our donors’ generosity to help us present Greek films that entertain, inform, and inspire year-round. We promise that this is the only fundraising appeal we’ll send all year. If you’re thinking about donating to an arts organization or a Greek cultural organization, we hope you’ll consider Hellenic Film Society USA.”

More information is available online: https://hellenicfilmusa.org/donate.

As the American Hellenic Institute (AHI) noted via email, “Giving Tuesday is a day of charitable giving to your favorite nonprofit on the Tuesday after Thanksgiving. Please consider supporting the American Hellenic Institute (AHI) and the work we are doing!

“If you care about Greece and Cyprus and the stability in the Eastern Mediterranean, please consider a donation to AHI.”

“For the past 46 years, AHI has been a leader in defending Hellenism, promoting Hellenic ideals, and strengthening relations between the United States and Greece and Cyprus, and within the Greek American community. This has not been an easy task as Turkey continues its multi-fold provocative actions in the Aegean and off the coast of Cyprus. The AHI is a non-profit public policy and advocacy center with a physical presence in Washington, DC allowing our organization to be the leading voice to policy-makers and engage in frequent outreach. To that effect AHI has been able to have a track record of success, and built relationships at the highest levels.

“Every dollar counts. Your generosity will have an immediate impact and help us pursue the critical work that has been our signature since our founding. Thank you in advance for your generous support!”

More information is available online: https://www.ahiworld.org/.

Artist Residency Center Athens, (ARCAthens) also appealed for support on Giving Tuesday. According to its website, “If you would like to support ARCAthens, there is no better time than now. Please consider contributing so we may continue our work promoting cultural exchange between New York and Athens. Make your contribution, knowing it keeps the doors open and the Team of ARCAthens employed during COVID-19 and beyond. It will also directly support the artists and curators we give Fellowships to. Their intelligence and creative activism is bringing equity, justice, beauty, and joy into our world. We thank you from the bottom of our hearts for considering our appeal!”

International Orthodox Christian Charities (IOCC) announced via email that they will be matching gifts dollar for dollar, up to $10,000, again this GivingTuesday.

Donations to IOCC help provide access to food, emergency relief, agricultural training, psychological support, sustainable jobs, and clean drinking and bathing water. 

IOCC continued, “It is impossible to do this work without your support, so please give what you can this #GivingTuesday. Lock in your gift today to ensure the match.”

More information is available online: https://iocc.org/.