Giving Tuesday: 5 Hillsborough Nonprofits That Could Use Your Help

HILLSBOROUGH, NJ — There’s no single way to show generosity on Giving Tuesday, which falls on Tuesday, Dec. 2, this year, but several nonprofits in Hillsborough are counting on end-of-the-year donations and support.

Black Friday, Small Business Saturday and Cyber Monday all focus on consumerism, while the idea behind GivingTuesday is to galvanize fundraising, rally volunteers and add momentum to their causes.

Since 2012, nonprofits, community and grassroots groups, and mutual aid networks worldwide have used the #GivingTuesday hashtag to encourage fundraising, rally volunteers and add momentum to their causes, according to the nonprofit of the same name behind the movement.

Local nonprofits remain heavily dependent on donor support. Charitable contributions increased 2.9 percent from June 2024 to June 2025, according to the Fundraising Effectiveness Report analysis.

Notably, although total dollars raised have increased, year-to-date performance among supersize donors has been softer than in 2024, making small contributions more important than ever.

In the United States, Giving Tuesday is led by hundreds of communities, networks and coalitions.

Here are five nonprofits in Hillsborough that depend on community support (donations should be made directly to each of the nonprofits below):

1. Steps Together — Formed in 2013, the Hillsborough-based 501(c)(3) organization is dedicated to inspiring the community to pay their blessings forward and support Somerset County families facing a medical crisis. With the support of the community, Steps Together is able to assist more families, provide them with greater financial relief, and bring awareness to the conditions that impact them. Learn more at steps-together.org.
2. GiGi's Playhouse Hillsborough — Provides programming and support for individuals with Down syndrome & their families. Its mission is to increase positive awareness of Down syndrome through national campaigns, educational programs, and by empowering individuals with Down syndrome, their families and the community. Learn more at gigisplayhouse.org/hillsborough.
3. Amwell Animal Rescue Group — AARG's mission is to provide exceptional care to every pet that comes through their doors. They believe in treating rescue pets as if they are their own. They ensure they receive the best possible attention, care, love and medical services as needed. Adoptions take place at Amwell Pet Supply, 434 Route 206, Hillsborough. Learn more at amwellanimalrescue.com.
4. Feeding Hands — The 501(c)(3) Non-Profit Organization, at 186 Route 206 South in Hillsborough, distributes more than 100,000 pounds of food to feed close to 900 families in Somerset County each month. Learn more at feedinghandspantry.org.
5. Safe+Sound Somerset — Helps survivors of domestic abuse and sexual violence with compassionate, trained professional help. Assistance is offered 24 hours a day – 7 days a week – 365 days a year at 866-685-1122. Our Helpline is the gateway to survivor-centered services that provide safety, hope and healing from the trauma of abuse and violence. Learn more at safe-sound.org.

The Giving Tuesday movement encourages “radical generosity,” the concept that the suffering of others should be as intolerable to us as our own suffering, according to the movement’s website.

Giving Tuesday was created in New York City in 2012 with a simple goal: to encourage people to do good. Over the past nine years, the idea has grown into the global movement it is today.

Last year, Giving Tuesday participants raised a record-breaking $3.6 billion from 36.1 million participants, bringing the total raised on the day since 2012 to $18.5 billion.