If an adorable puppy looking for a happy ending to the sad start of his short life doesn’t tug enough at heartstrings to inspire a donation to the Humane Society of the Pikes Peak Region, it’s hard to say what will.

The animal shelter with offices in Colorado Springs and Pueblo is counting on the shameless appeal of Brass — who at just a week old was found lying by a tree at a construction site with his eyes and ears still closed — to entice contributions during this year’s 24-hour Givingtuesday on Nov. 28.

“With Brass’ mother nowhere to be seen, the good Samaritans who found Brass called our Animal Law Enforcement team to bring him in,” said the organization’s spokesman Cody Costra. “It’s just one example of the pets we help daily at the Humane Society of the Pikes Peak Region.”

The annual Givingtuesday, an online fundraiser for nonprofits and causes worldwide, was created in 2012 to encourage people to do good and now is an independent nonprofit that inspires people worldwide to give to and recognize the work of the charitable sector.

Big backers include the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation as the “leadership supporter,” according to Givingtuesday’s website; other listed funders include The Ford Foundation, Google.com, Microsoft, Paypal, Mackenzie Scott, the Heinz Family Foundation, Jennifer and Jonathan Allan Soros and other philanthropists and

foundations.

Givingtuesday is the biggest single-day fundraiser for the local humane society, Costra said, along with a similar online push one week later, Colorado Gives Day, which happens Dec. 5.

“It’s the giving season, after Thanksgiving and up to the end of the year, so a lot of people do like to donate to causes that are important to them if they are able,” he said. “Whether it’s a $5 donation or more, we appreciate everyone’s contribution.”

Last year, Givingtuesday raised $3.1 billion in donations from 37 million adults in the United States in the 24-hour period, according to the organization. That represented a 15% increase over 2021 and a 25% increase since the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, which saw a surge of philanthropic giving.

But donor sentiment has weakened this year, according to philanthropy experts, as the struggling domestic economy, stock market volatility and global unrest are producing apprehension and wariness about charitable donations.

“Donors indicate they are pulling back on giving even more than last year, primarily because of the toll the economy has taken on their personal financial situation,” according to the “Donor Confidence 2023” survey by Dunham+Company, a marketing and fundraising firm.

While 96% of donors said they intend to continue giving, fewer donors said they plan to give at the same level or more than last year, however.

One in four donors indicated they will give less this year, and 70% said they would give the same or more this year, down from 80% in 2021. One-third of donors said household income has negatively affected giving.

After two years of record-high giving in 2020 and 2021, overall giving by individuals, foundations, businesses and bequests declined by 10.5% in 2022, after inflation adjustment, according to Giving USA. Last year’s giving total was $499.33 billion, a decrease of $58.58 billion from 2021.

The Humane Society of the Pikes Peak Region is counting on a banner response from supporters. Last year, the fundraiser brought in upwards of $44,000 and above $40,000 in 2021.

For added appeal, Metlife Pet Insurance is doubling every donation made to the Humane Society of the Pikes Peak Region on Givingtuesday, up to $30,000.

“All of the money goes directly back to the pets in our shelter that need food, shelter, medical care, behavioral health and help finding their new home,” Costra said.

In the Better Business Bureau’s 2023 give.org survey, the most trusted charity categories were veterans’ organizations, nonprofit hospitals, animal welfare charities, social services and health organizations.

While the second chance to push a few buttons on a cell phone, computer or other electronic device is Colorado Gives Day on Dec. 5, early giving has begun at coloradogives.org. All donations made between those days qualify for prizes and incentives.

In 2022, Colorado Gives Day raised $53.18 million from 101,639 donors to benefit 3,340 nonprofits statewide.

In comparison, the effort raised $8 million in 2010 and had 12,540 donors, according to the Colorado Gives Foundation, which created the fundraiser.