Richland Gives, celebrating its 10th anniversary, has achieved a remarkable milestone by raising over $800,000 for local nonprofits in Richland County. The event, which took place over two weeks, saw participation from more than 1,600 individual donors, marking a 56% increase from the previous year.
Key Takeaways
- Total Raised: $804,938 for 99 nonprofits.
- Participation: Over 1,600 individual donors contributed.
- Record-Breaking Year: 56% increase from last year’s total of $514,000.
- Total Since 2015: More than $3.7 million raised for local nonprofits.
A Community Effort
Richland Gives was founded in 2015 to provide a platform for local nonprofits to accept online donations. The initiative has grown significantly, with 65 nonprofits participating in its inaugural year. Maura Teynor, chief advancement officer for the Richland County Foundation, emphasized the event’s goal: "We wanted to answer the question, ‘What impact could we make if we all gave on the same day?’"
The event not only raises funds but also builds capacity and encourages philanthropy within the community.
Recognition and Support
Chris Hiner, chairman of the Richland County Foundation board of trustees, expressed gratitude to all donors and nonprofits involved, stating, "What an amazing, generous community. You don’t get ($800,000) without outstanding work and helping people who need it."
This year, the foundation covered 4% of platform fees, making it easier for donors to contribute. Additionally, 36 peer-to-peer fundraisers were organized, allowing individuals to raise funds on behalf of their chosen nonprofits.
Notable Fundraising Initiatives
One standout initiative was the Discovery School’s student read-a-thon, which exceeded its goal of $65,000. The funds raised will support the school’s STEM lab and maintain a favorable student-to-teacher ratio.
Matching Grants and Awards
The total raised includes over $80,000 in matching grant prizes for leaderboard and prize winners. Twelve nonprofits received matching grants based on their performance during designated “golden ticket hours.”
The winners included:
- Time for a Change Diaper Bank
- Visual Bucket List Foundation
- Ohio Bird Sanctuary
A new $500 matching fund was introduced for first-time participants, awarded to the Music Academy of Karate and Empowerment for raising the most funds in its inaugural year.
Celebrating Success
The Friendly House was recognized for having the best fundraising page, earning a $1,000 grant. Greg Mead, assistant director of The Friendly House, highlighted the importance of community support, stating, "Everything we do is to support families and kids in the community."
Conclusion
Richland Gives continues to be a vital resource for local nonprofits, fostering a spirit of generosity and community engagement. The final results of the fundraising efforts can be viewed online, and donations remain open for those wishing to contribute beyond the campaign’s conclusion.
With nearly $4 million raised since its inception, Richland Gives exemplifies the power of collective giving and community support.
Sources
- Richland Gives 10th anniversary raises $800K+ for 90+ nonprofits, Richland Source.
