"GiveBIG" Brings in $12.8 Million, Up 16 Percent from 2013

SEATTLE, May 7, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Seattle Foundation's "GiveBIG" campaign generated an incredible $12.8 million in online contributions for nonprofits, with the social media-fueled campaign exceeding its 2013 total of $11.1 million by 15 percent.  Total individual online gifts jumped by 10,000, reaching more than 64,000 at the close of the 24-hour period.

During this online event held from midnight to midnight on May 6, people made donations to more than 1,470 nonprofits profiled on www.seattlefoundation.org. The Seattle Foundation "stretched" these gifts further, matching a share of every contribution with funds from a $1 million "stretch" pool provided by corporate sponsors, local philanthropists and The Seattle Foundation. A nonprofit organization's share of the stretch pool is based on the percentage of donations the nonprofit receives of the total online contributions made through www.seattlefoundation.org on GiveBIG.  

"This year's campaign celebrates the heroes among us who work, volunteer and contribute to the vast array of causes that together create a healthy community," said Norman B. Rice, president and CEO of The Seattle Foundation. "The people of King County should be proud of another year of amazing generosity."

Gifts began coming in at 12 a.m. on Tuesday, May 6 and during the 24-hour period, people made more than 64,000 individual online gifts.  GiveBIG attracted donations from 50 states and 35 foreign countries. Based on preliminary results, the five organizations receiving the highest total gifts are:  Northwest Harvest/EMM, Planned Parenthood of the Great Northwest, The Seattle Public Library Foundation, The 5th Avenue Theatre, and The Northwest School.    

GiveBIG, presented by The Seattle Foundation, is fueled by nonprofit organizations that mobilize their supporters, primarily through social media and online communications, to "give big" through online donations. It is supported by an advertising campaign running online, in print, broadcast, mobile and at Seattle Sounders FC matches.

GiveBIG is presented by The Seattle Foundation with support from Presenting Partners KING 5 Television, Microsoft, Seattle Sounders FC and Wyncote Foundation NW.  The $1 million stretch pool includes $500,000 from The Seattle Foundation and contributions from sponsoring companies and local philanthropists, including Presenting Partners Microsoft and Wyncote Foundation NW. 

Lead sponsors are Aven Foundation, BECU, Bezos Family Foundation, Boeing, Sonya & Tom Campion, Medina Foundation, Millennial Media, The Anne Y. Petter Family, The Seattle Times, Starbucks, Tableau Foundation, Tagboard and Trifilm. Additional support is provided by Alaska Airlines, Jon Bates & Carolyn Corvi, The Sheri & Les Biller Family Foundation, Colonial Consulting, The Hayes Family, KPMG, Pyramid Communications, Ann Ramsay-Jenkins, Constance & Norman Rice, Safeco Insurance and Maggie & Doug Walker.  

Also contributing are Biking Billboards, Clark Nuber P.S., Davis Wright Tremaine, Deloitte, Dorsey & Whitney, Hellam Varon, K&L Gates, Marrella Fund, Nova Fisheries, Linda Park, Judy Pigott, Point B, Inc., Russell Investments, Brad Smith & Kathy Surace-Smith, Virginia Mason Medical Center, The Whitsitt Family, and H.S. Wright III & Kate Janeway.

Eight organizations sponsored targeted areas of community need aligned with their philanthropic priorities: Aven Foundation/Basic Needs; BECU/Basic Needs/; Bezos Family Foundation/Education; The Boeing Company/Arts & Culture; Medina Foundation/Basic Needs; Microsoft/Education; Starbucks/Neighborhoods & Communities; and Tableau Foundation/Global Giving.

The Seattle Foundation's mission is to foster powerful and rewarding philanthropy to make King County a stronger, more vibrant community for all.   With nearly $800 million in assets, our goal as a community foundation is to simplify giving and strengthen the impact of philanthropy for the more than 1,200 individuals, families and businesses we serve.  The Seattle Foundation awards more than $60 million in grants each year and offers an online Giving Center at www.seattlefoundation.org to provide current information on community issues and nonprofit organizations working to build a healthy community. 

Online: www.seattlefoundation.org

Facebook: www.facebook.com/TheSeattleFoundation

On Twitter:  www.twitter.com/TheSeattleFdn

On Tagboard:  www.tagboard.com/givebig

SOURCE The Seattle Foundation