Wise Giving Wednesday: Comedian Gives Big at Emmys

Hero image for Wise Giving Wednesday: Comedian Gives Big at Emmys
calendar icon Sep 17, 2025

Award shows don’t often spotlight philanthropy, but this year’s Emmys turned generosity into part of the night’s entertainment.

Nate Bargatze Turns Emmy Speeches Into a Giving Challenge

Nate Bargatze hosted the Emmys Sunday night and had a great comedy routine with a charitable mission. Bargatze would give an entry level donation of $100,000 to Boys and Girls Club of America, but there was a catch. Each Emmy winner had only 45 seconds allotted for their acceptance speech. The comedian pledged to donate $1,000 more for each second the speeches came under the allotted time limit or reduce the amount by $1,000 for each second the speeches went over the threshold. In the end, Bargatze contributed $250,000, and CBS an additional $100,000.

The Power of Small but Consistent Donations

One takeaway from the boon that Boys and Girls Club enjoyed is that donations add up. While the average donor certainly can’t make a $250,000 donation, and $1,000 is out of reach for modest budgets, many charities rely on small but consistent gifts to keep the lights on. While large gifts can have huge short-term impact, charities can’t rely on the Emmys, or viral giving like the Ice Bucket Challenge that benefited ALS Association in the summer of 2014. Slow and steady often wins the race.

How Every Gift Matters

Even a $10 monthly donation can make a meaningful difference to charities. Letting people know about the charity you’re giving to can also help influence others to support the charity, causing a ripple effect for the causes you care about.

Even small gifts connect you to a cause. By “putting your money where your mouth is” you’re engaging in civic life, fostering your own agency, and becoming a stakeholder in the charity’s mission. Also, giving just feels good, whether you’re helping children, animals, or those facing the desperation of civic or natural disaster.

Find Charities You Can Trust

Before you give, please visit our list of charities that meet all 20 Standards for Charity Accountability to find groups you can trust.

Recent Reports

We are always working with charities to publish or update reports for donors. Visit Give.org or local BBBs to check out any charity before giving. Our recently evaluated charities include:

Finally, remember to let us know by going to give.org/charity-inquiry if you are interested in seeing a report on a charity not on the list and we will do our best to produce one.