Nonprofit registration now open for Midlands Gives, presented by Central Carolina Community Foundation

September 15, 2015

Enhanced training, expanded Corporate Philanthropy Champion program, low-cost webinars among enhancements to 24-hour online giving challenge.

COLUMBIA, SC – Fresh from a thrilling second year, in which donations were doubled to more than $1.5 million for 250+ nonprofits, Central Carolina Community Foundation – the Midlands’ expert on philanthropy – has opened nonprofit registration for the third annual Midlands Gives 24-hour local online giving challenge, scheduled for Tuesday, May 3, 2016.

Committed to connecting donors with organizations that make a meaningful impact in the Midlands, the Foundation is implementing upgrades that will make it even easier for participating nonprofits to raise funds on Midlands Gives day.

“Midlands Gives will feature more bonus pools, prizes and matching gifts so everyone’s dollars can go even further,” notes JoAnn Turnquist, President and CEO of Central Carolina Community Foundation. “We are expanding our social media and online marketing training programs to include a series on finding matching gifts, thanking donors and engaging board members,” she continues. “Normally, the fee for nonprofit staff to attend these trainings would be upward of $450, but the Foundation is underwriting the programs so each nonprofit will pay only $25 for the entire package.”

Another enhancement to this year’s giving day is the Corporate Philanthropy Champion program, which helps local companies engage more fully with the community through a partnership with the Community Foundation. Participating businesses will be sponsoring bonus pools and prize incentives aimed at increasing local giving during Midlands Gives on May 3.

Information sessions will be held in Camden, Chapin, Columbia, Lexington, Orangeburg and Sumter between Sept. 16 and Oct. 14 to connect even more organizations to this great opportunity to raise funds and build awareness.

“The Foundation is committed to increasing the impact Midlands Gives has in our community,” says Turnquist.

“Each year, the Foundation plans to add additional programs and incentives that will help nonprofits connect with more donors – from those already familiar with giving to budding philanthropists of all ages.”

Community members can get involved this year by encouraging local nonprofits they support to register for Midlands Gives. Any 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organization in good standing with the IRS, and a local office in one of the 11 Midlands counties the Foundation serves, is eligible to participate.

Although the registration deadline is Feb. 29, 2016, organizations are encouraged to register by Nov. 15, 2015 to be eligible for a $500 “early bird” prize. Early bird registrants can take full advantage of the extensive training package offered November through January by the Foundation’s partners at South Carolina Association of Nonprofit Organizations (SCANPO).

Nonprofit organizations can register for Midlands Gives at http://midlandsgives.org from Sept. 14, 2015 through Feb. 29, 2016. The event will be held on Tuesday, May 3, 2016. To learn more about Midlands Gives and the registration process, visit http://yourfoundation.org or contact Nancye Bailey, Midlands Gives Coordinator, at [email protected] or 803.254.5601.

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

 

About Midlands Gives

Midlands Gives is an annual 24-hour online giving challenge for local nonprofits, presented by Central Carolina Community Foundation. This year’s event will take place on May 3, 2016. For more information about Midlands Gives, visit www.midlandsgives.org or call 803-254-5601.

 

About Central Carolina Community Foundation

Central Carolina Community Foundation is a nonprofit organization serving 11 counties in the Midlands by distributing grants and scholarships and linking the resources of donors, nonprofits and area leaders to communities in need. For more information about the Foundation, visit www.yourfoundation.org or call 803.254.5601.