Little Bets on #GivingTuesday

The power of Giving Tuesday really hit me during a conversation with Peter Sims during the CEO’s for Cities Cluster Workshop in Pittsburgh about the Innovative and Inclusive City. Peter Sims – keynote speaker at CEO for Cities and author of Little Bets – reminded me that breakthrough innovation that catalyzes positive change isn’t derived from singular, top-down, game-changing institutions; they come about through small, tangible, incremental iterations of ideas. Even more so, Sims pointed out that true cultural shifts come about by passionate, creative, motivated people who work to put their bold ideas into action through creative, tangible, (sometimes) eccentric efforts. As an example he referenced the Giving Tuesday movement founded by his friend Henry Timms, CEO of the 92^nd Street Y in New York City. For more information on Giving Tuesday’s mission and history check out GTECH’s blog on how GTECH is joining the Giving Tuesday mission.

With the lens of little bets my perception of Giving Tuesday started to shift.   It was then I realized that this global day of giving fueled by the power of social media and collaboration provides a platform for me to take little bets on ideas and initiatives happening in my own back yard by making small, tangible donations that day. The momentum of Giving Tuesday amplifies my ‘little bet’ to harness the potential of social media and the generosity of people around the world to bring about real change for the issues I care about most in my community. It also brings together the collective power of a unique blend of partners— nonprofits, civic organizations, businesses and corporations, as well as families and individuals—to encourage small acts of kindness.

I’ve always seen GTECH’s Ambassadors embody the concept of Little Bets as they forge unlikely relationships to mobilize networks towards greater community benefit through tangible actions. Now I see that all of GTECH’s Network plays a role in taking small, tangible actions that help turn our ideas in to innovative initiatives, such as Green Playces, ReClaim South 2.0, and the Social Capital Council. Take a little bet with us on Giving Tuesday, on December 1, by making a financial contribution in support of applied innovation at GTECH. This year a donor of GTECH has already doubled down on the generosity of our supporters. From now until December 31^st every dollar you invest in us will be matched up to $15,000!