As we begin the wrap up of 2021, in this our last issue for the year, I wanted to thank you all for reading our ebriefing, reaching out to talk about the stories, and suggesting not-for-profits for us to feature and donate to throughout the year.

Here are the stories that the team wanted to share with you this week. No surprise that most are recaps of 2021 or projections for 2022. It’s that time of year!

• Hootsuite has 9 social media trends you’ll want to think about.

• Snapchat has shared it’s top AR campaigns and tools in the “Lens of the Year” report. This year, Lenses have helped you learn basic American sign language or even make yourself into a 3D cartoon. Check out the report here!
• Google’s compendium of the Year in Search 2021 reminds of us of key moments and people we may have forgotten with a YouTube video as well as opportunities to explore keyword lists and trends, Google’s keyword of the year is “how to heal” and its variations including “how to be hopeful.” On to 2022…
• The Global market for Digital Advertising and Marketing estimated at US$350 Billion in the year 2020, is projected to reach a revised size of US$786.2 Billion by 2026.

• And this via BrightLocal: After several weeks of dramatic local search ranking fluctuations, Google has confirmed a big update to the local algorithm. Rolling out at the beginning of December, the update—nicknamed Vicinity—has caused massive ups and downs across the local sphere. Read all about what this update involves and who the biggest winners and losers are so far!

And as has become our annual tradition, here are the not-for-profits we donated to this year:

1. Brain & Behavior Research Foundation – January 6, 2021
2. World Center Kitchen (aka WCK) – January 13, 2021
3. Ronald McDonald House of Central NJ – January 20, 2021
4. Wikipedia – January 27, 2021
5. NAACP – February 3, 2021
6. The American Cancer Society – February 10, 2021
7. Sandy Hook Promise – February 17, 2021
8. NY Common Pantry and Feeding America – February 24, 2021
9. Organ and Tissue Donation Awareness Trust Fund – March 3, 2021
10. Trenton Area Soup Kitchen (TASK) – March 10, 2021
11. No Kid Hungry – March 17, 2021
12. Charity Navigator – March 24, 2021
13. National Center for Missing and Exploited Children & Amazon Smile – March 31
14. Autism Research Institute – April 7, 2021
15. Center for Disaster Philanthropy – April 14, 2021
16. Doctors Without Borders – April 21, 2021
17. Princeton-Blairstown Center & Spring Into Action – April 28, 2021
18. Hollaback – May 5, 2021
19. Christine’s Hope for Kids – May 12, 2021
20. BeGrateful.org – May 19, 2021
21. Maya’s Mission – May 26, 2021
22. Seeds to Sew International – June 2, 2021
23. NOVA (Network of Victims Assistance) June 9, 2021
24. EmpowerHER – June 16, 2021
25. National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) – June 23, 2021
26. Jason Raynor – June 30, 2021
27. Passage Theatre & INT-O – July 14, 2021
28. Charity Water’s Tiny Heroes – July 28, 2021
29. 10,000 Degrees – August 4, 2021
30. Doctors Without Borders – August 18, 2021
31. Women for Women International – August 25, 2021
32. Kids in Need Foundation – September 8, 2021
33. No Kid Hungry – September 15, 2021
34. Walk to End Alzheimer’s – September 22, 2021
35. HealthLink Dental – September 29, 2021
36. Bayard Rustin Center for Social Justice – October 13, 2021
37. Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation (ALFS) – October 20, 2021
38. ProPublica – October 27, 2021
39. Trenton Area Soup Kitchen (TASK) – November 3, 2021
40. The Princeton YMCA’s Breast Cancer Research Center – November 10, 2021
41. Rolling Harvest – November 17, 2021
42. Passage Theatre of Trenton – December 8, 2021
43. The American Red Cross – December 15, 2021

And one more for 2021–Do Good Spotlight on: Charity: Water

Charity: Water is a non-profit organization bringing clean and safe drinking water to people in developing countries. We’ve been a fan of theirs for years and made this week’s donation to support the amazing work they’re doing throughout the world. To note, 100% of donations go to fund water projects, the operations of the organization are supported by private donors. Here’s where you can learn more.

Thanks for a great 2021, happy holidays, and best wishes for all things good in 2022!