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It's an understatement to say that the end of the year is a busy time for the  charitable sector. Many charities and nonprofits can anticipate raising a third of their annual overall online donations in December alone. It shouldn't surprise you to hear that the last two days of the year are when most organizations also experience the heaviest volume of online giving.

In the crowded crush of direct mail, television appeals, print campaigns and email blasts, it's not always easy for a digital campaign to stand out. Some organizations have stepped up to the challenge and are reaching out to online communities. Be inspired by these seven stories of holiday fundraising on web and social channels!

#1: The incredible (ongoing) generosity of Reddit

The Reddit online community is well-known for its frequent acts of collective kindness. That generosity trickles down to a spirit of giving within its individual forums.

Last year, members of the r/Atheism discussion forum decided to "put our morals where our mouths are" and raised a significant $50,000 for Doctors Without Borders online. This year's repeat performance has greatly surpassed expectations, already reaching over $193,000 in online donations.

The campaign reflects the global membership of the group, with donation links for members from Canada, the UK and France. In the spirit of "solidarity and friendly competition", r/Atheism's actions have inspired fellow forums r/Christianity and r/Islam to create their own holiday giving appeals.

Doctors Without Borders responded to this unique third-party fundraiser with warm encouragement, writing: "Thank you, Reddit, for extending your community to include the people we serve."

Read the full article.

By Claire Kerr
Originally published in CharityVillage.com, December 19, 2011