Local nonprofits begin to see an uptick in donations come the holiday season, when people start to get into the spirit of giving.

In particular, local organizations such as the United Way and the YWCA expect to see donations increase after Thanksgiving, and since Giving Tuesday, which will be marked nationwide today, began in 2012, it has become the start of that uptick.

“Giving Tuesday has really become a part of the whole Black Friday, Small Business Saturday and Cyber Monday events,” said Elizabeth Short, executive director of the Butler YWCA. “I think people are just in the giving spirit and want to support local causes in their local community.”

Short said the YWCA plans a certain amount of its yearly budget around the amount of donations expected to be received around the holidays. According to the nonprofit Giving Tuesday's website, the movement was made to inspire generosity following the busy shopping days of Black Friday and the like.

Amy Franz, Butler region director of the United Way, said the organization is always in the middle of its annual campaign on Giving Tuesday. So while every day is important to give to a local nonprofit, she is happy there is a national movement surrounding generosity.

“We do see more people become more charitable at this time of year,” Franz said. “I expect we'll get what we normally do and a small increase here or there.”

Franz said every donation received by the Butler United Way stays within the county and is distributed to partnering organizations that serve different needs.

Giving to the United Way can get money to organizations making impacts on certain needs, and Franz said many county residents still are suffering financial hardship from the coronavirus pandemic.

“We still have a lot of people who need food and water and rental assistance needs,” Franz said.

Short said the YWCA serves different community needs as well, and supports several programs that have different functions. The Butler YWCA has Project Period, which provides women's menstrual products, Getting Ahead in a Just-Gettin'-By World, which aims to provide financial empowerment for low-income women, and Under Our Wing, which provides independent senior living residences for low-income residents.

Short said people can give to a specific program, or make a general donation, which each directly helps YWCA efforts.

“We have some people who direct their donations to a particular program we offer,” Short said. “What can really make the most impact is an unrestrictive gift because it allows us to point those dollars to where they are needed most.”

Franz said the United Way has a campaign goal this year of $35 million, which all goes toward local organizations making an impact.

“We would love to be thought of on Giving Tuesday,” Franz said. “We're all about making change and helping people meet basic needs and get through school and life.”

Short said financial support given to the YWCA makes a difference as well.

“The community has been really generous with the YWCA,” Short said. “Particularly around the holidays is definitely when you see the greatest volume of giving.”

To donate to the YWCA, visit its website at ywcabutler.org, or to donate to the United Way, visit its website at uwswpa.org.