GIVINGTUESDAY LEADERSHIP COUNCIL

Desert Community Foundation is the Coachella Valley's home for GivingTuesday and a charter member of the GivingTuesday Leadership Council — the only member in the California desert. Each December, GivingTuesday kicks off the season that leads to CV Giving Day, the region's 24-hour day of giving every March. GivingTuesday 2026 falls on December 1, 2026; CV Giving Day 2027 takes place on March 2, 2027.

Organization: Desert Community Foundation (DCF), serving the Coachella Valley since 1999

Annual campaign: CV Giving Day — an initiative of DCF

GivingTuesday role: Founding member, GivingTuesday Leadership Council — the desert's only member

GivingTuesday 2026: Tuesday, December 1, 2026

CV Giving Day 2027: Tuesday, March 2, 2027 (24 hours)

Raised by CV Giving Day: More than $3 million to date

Nonprofits involved: Around 200 each year, across nine cities

Campaign year: Now in its 5th year

Executive Director: Mary Panesar

Give online: cvgivingday.org

Since 1999, Desert Community Foundation has been the Coachella Valley's nonprofit hub — empowering our desert communities through Donor Advised Funds, scholarships, and donor-directed grants, all in service of a healthy, educated, and prosperous Coachella Valley. As the founder of CV Giving Day, we're committed to creating lasting change and investing in the future of our region.

That same commitment is why we sit on the GivingTuesday Leadership Council. We bring a worldwide movement home to the desert — and bring the desert's voice to the movement.

GivingTuesday is the global generosity movement that unleashes the power of people to transform their communities. The idea is simple: every act of generosity counts, and each one counts for more when people give together. GivingTuesday is observed worldwide each year — in 2026, on December 1.

What is the GivingTuesday Leadership Council?

The GivingTuesday Leadership Council is a network of community leaders who advance the global generosity movement in their own regions. Desert Community Foundation has been part of it since its earliest days, joining the founding gatherings from New Orleans to Long Beach. Today, DCF holds the Coachella Valley's founding seat — the only one in the California desert.

Rally. Give. Amplify. CV Giving Day is one of the Coachella Valley's largest 24-hour online giving events — uniting nine cities, around 200 local nonprofits, and thousands of generous residents and businesses in a powerful movement to create lasting change. It amplifies local philanthropy and transforms our community through collective impact.

Held on the first Tuesday of March, CV Giving Day is an initiative of Desert Community Foundation, its founding sponsor. In the Coachella Valley, GivingTuesday in December launches the season; CV Giving Day in March is where it culminates. CV Giving Day 2027 takes place Tuesday, March 2, 2027.

CV Giving Day has raised more than $3 million for local nonprofits to date, growing year over year.

2023 — $369,000 — 160 nonprofits
2024 — $886,000 — 203 nonprofits
2025 — $832,786 — 192 nonprofits
2026 — $1M+ — crossed the million mark

For donors

Discover the local causes that matter most to you and give at cvgivingday.org. The two annual moments to give are GivingTuesday on December 1, 2026, and CV Giving Day on March 2, 2027.

For nonprofits

Coachella Valley nonprofits can participate to raise awareness, funds, new donors, and cash prizes. Register at cvgivingday.org or email cvgivingday@desertfoundation.org.

For impact partners

Impact partners help power the day: 100% of impact-partner donations go directly to nonprofits, and 100% of prizes go to nonprofits.

CV Giving Day is an initiative of Desert Community Foundation, a 501(c)(3) organization (EIN 95-4725924). 501(c)(3) status is verified, an annual report is available, and the Foundation maintains board oversight and completes an independent audit. Operating costs are covered by Desert Community Foundation and its partners, so that donations flow to the nonprofits they're meant for.

What is CV Giving Day?

CV Giving Day is one of the Coachella Valley's largest 24-hour online giving events and an initiative of Desert Community Foundation. Held on the first Tuesday of March, it unites nine cities, around 200 local nonprofits, and thousands of residents and businesses. CV Giving Day 2027 takes place on March 2, 2027.

When is CV Giving Day 2027?

CV Giving Day 2027 is on Tuesday, March 2, 2027 — the first Tuesday of March. It runs for 24 hours, with donations made online at cvgivingday.org.

When is GivingTuesday 2026?

GivingTuesday 2026 is on Tuesday, December 1, 2026. It is the global day of giving observed worldwide. In the Coachella Valley, Desert Community Foundation leads local participation and uses the day to launch the CV Giving Day season.

Who runs CV Giving Day?

CV Giving Day is an initiative of Desert Community Foundation, which is its founding sponsor. Desert Community Foundation is a community foundation serving the Coachella Valley since 1999. Its Executive Director is Mary Panesar.

Is Desert Community Foundation affiliated with GivingTuesday?

Yes. Desert Community Foundation is a founding member of the GivingTuesday Leadership Council and the only member based in the California desert. DCF has taken part in the Council since its earliest gatherings, from New Orleans to Long Beach.

What is the GivingTuesday Leadership Council?

The GivingTuesday Leadership Council is a network of community leaders who advance the global generosity movement in their own regions. Desert Community Foundation holds the Coachella Valley's seat as a founding member.

How much has CV Giving Day raised?

CV Giving Day has raised more than $3 million for Coachella Valley nonprofits to date: $369,000 in 2023, $886,000 in 2024, $832,786 in 2025, and more than $1 million in 2026. The campaign is now in its fifth year.

How many nonprofits take part in CV Giving Day?

Around 200 Coachella Valley nonprofits take part each year, including 203 in 2024 and 192 in 2025.

What areas does CV Giving Day serve?

CV Giving Day serves the Coachella Valley in Riverside County, California, including Palm Springs, Desert Hot Springs, Cathedral City, Rancho Mirage, Palm Desert, Indian Wells, La Quinta, Indio, and Coachella.

Are donations tax-deductible?

Desert Community Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, EIN 95-4725924. Gifts made through CV Giving Day support participating Coachella Valley nonprofits; for the deductibility of a specific gift, consult your tax advisor.

How do I donate or take part?

Donors can give to participating Coachella Valley nonprofits at cvgivingday.org during GivingTuesday on December 1, 2026, and CV Giving Day on March 2, 2027.

How can a nonprofit join CV Giving Day?

Coachella Valley nonprofits can register to take part at cvgivingday.org, or email cvgivingday@desertfoundation.org.