Midlands Gives sees 50 percent increase in participating local nonprofits

More than 375 local nonprofits will participate in the third annual Midlands Gives, a 24-hour online giving challenge presented by Central Carolina Community Foundation – the Midlands’ expert on philanthropy – on Tuesday, May 3, 2016. To view the full list of nonprofits and review profiles on each, visit http://www.midlandsgives.org.

This year’s 50% increase in participating nonprofit organizations is keeping with the event’s rapid year-to-year growth thus far. Roughly 250 charities participated in 2015, up from more than 150 in the event’s inaugural year, 2014. Midlands Gives raised an astonishing $1.5 million in one day for more than 250 nonprofits from eleven counties in 2015, doubling the more than $700,000 raised in its inaugural year in 2014. Midlands Gives is one of almost 100 giving days that will be taking place in cities across America as part of Give Local America.

“In 2015, our region came in seventh out of close to 80 cities nationwide in the number of gifts made, more than 11,000 individual gifts,” notes JoAnn Turnquist, President and CEO of Central Carolina Community Foundation. “That means that everyday philanthropists here in the Midlands gave more gifts than donors in much larger metropolitan areas. This is testament to the widespread generosity of our community.”

New Public Event Headquarters on May 3: Spirit Communications Park

Midlands Gives headquarters will be in a new location this year, the brand new Spirit Communications Park at Bull Street in Columbia, S.C., home of the Columbia Fireflies baseball team. The event will be open to the public with free admission, featuring online giving stations with live assistance; concessions; games; evening entertainment by the Heart ‘n Soul band; a noon pitching contest featuring mayors from around the Midlands; and a “nonprofit marketplace” where residents can meet the staff and volunteers of several participating charities in a festive, family-friendly environment.

How to Give Online on May 3

Everyone can be a philanthropist at www.MidlandsGives.org, where a simple interface will make it easy to donate to multiple charities with a few clicks. All donations will go to each charity systematically, thanks to a robust online system provided by Give Local America. A leaderboard on the home page will allow donors to follow along via mobile device or computer and watch as donations to their favorite charities add up throughout the day.

“Central Carolina Community Foundation sees its role in the community as a catalyst for philanthropy and underwrites the operating costs of Midlands Gives,” says Turnquist. “All the money raised goes to the organizations that participate. The Community Foundation does not take a percentage fee from Midlands Gives. It’s one of our ways of giving back.”

More Than $95,000 in Cash Prizes for Charities This Year

More cash prizes than ever will be awarded to participating charities throughout the 24-hour giving period, including special prizes from Aflac and SCE&G. Nineteen businesses have generously donated over $95,000 in prizes, a 200% increase from previous years. Bonus pools from regional endowments will amplify donations in Orangeburg and Calhoun, Chapin, Kershaw and Sumter Counties.

“43% of donors who gave last year were first time givers to the organization they chose,” notes Turnquist. “The average nonprofit raised $5,800 during the 24 hours last year and 56% have budgets under $750,000. Midlands Gives is an incredible opportunity for all of us to make a big difference, whether our donation is $20 or much more.”

Midlands Gives will be held Tuesday, May 3, 2016. Each participating 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organization has been evaluated to ensure that it is in good standing with the Secretary of State and has a local office in one of the 11 Midlands counties the Foundation serves. To learn more about Midlands Gives and view the full list of participating nonprofits, visit http://midlandsgives.org.

The Midlands Gives official Twitter hashtag is #MidlandsGives; Central Carolina Community Foundation can be tagged on Twitter as @CCCFTweets.

Help Unlock a Midlands Gives Prize

Colonial Life, Midlands Gives’ Social Media Champion, has challenged the community to unlock the #ColonialLifeCares prize- simply by using social media. For every share of theoriginal Facebook post and retweet of the original tweet, Colonial Life will donate $10, up to $5,000.

On May 3, the $5,000 will be given away in 10 prizes of $500 to randomly drawn nonprofits.

Want to help? Head over to our Facebook or Twitter page to share the #ColonialLifeCares post.