Seattle Foundation's GiveBIG Champions Support for Local Nonprofits
Fifth Annual Day of Giving Event Returns on Tuesday, May 5
SEATTLE, May 4, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- The Seattle Foundation's fifth annual day of giving event, GiveBIG, returns tomorrow and is expected to provide a big boost to 1,700 area nonprofits over a period of just 24 hours.
The one-day online event will take place between 12:01 a.m. and 11:59 p.m. PDT on Tuesday, May 5, with the goal of inspiring people to give generously to their favorite local nonprofits representing the Foundation's seven elements of a healthy community – arts & culture, basic needs, economy, education, environment, health & wellness, neighborhoods & communities – as well as global development.
"Seattle is the country's fastest growing city, creating incredible economic growth for our region. Yet we know that this prosperity is not shared amongst all of our citizens and as a community foundation, we're focused on reducing inequities and ensuring everyone is on a path to success and self-sufficiency," said Seattle Foundation President & CEO Tony Mestres.
"GiveBIG is a call to action in response to these inequities. It's only one day, but it's a day that can really make a big difference for the nonprofits which are doing so much to make our region a stronger, more vibrant place for all," says Mestres. Since the Seattle Foundation introduced GiveBIG in 2011, more than $34.9 million representing more than 175,000 in individual online gifts – has been raised benefiting more than 1,700 local nonprofits. Adding Seattle Foundation's "stretch" dollars and challenge grants made to nonprofit organizations, the GiveBIG total raised to date is more than $40 million.
Mestres notes that while our region leads the nation on many important economic and quality-of-life measures, Seattle ranks 40th in charitable giving amongst major metropolitan areas, according to a 2014 Chronicle of Philanthropy report. "I challenge everyone to direct the same spirit and grit that has fueled the region's economic success to ignite the generosity and investment necessary to make this a stronger, more vibrant community for all."
Making this day even more impactful to participating nonprofits is that every donation made through the Seattle Foundation website (http://www.seattlefoundation.org/) will grow in size, in one or more of the following ways:
- Stretch Fund Boost – Each donation will receive a boost from a stretch pool funded by the Seattle Foundation and GiveBIG sponsors. Each donation up to $2,500 per organization is eligible. The amount of each nonprofit's share of the stretch pool is based on the percentage of donations the nonprofit receives of the total online contributions received. The more each nonprofit receives, the bigger the boost. Nonprofits must raise a minimum of $100 to receive stretch pool funds.
- Golden Ticket -- For each donation received, the donor will be entered into a "Golden Ticket" drawing conducted 10 times throughout the day. Winners will receive a $100 Starbucks or Taco Time gift card, and an additional $1,000 awarded in their name to their designated nonprofit.
- Global Development Match Grant – Participating local organizations working to improve lives in developing countries are eligible for a match of either $2,500 or $5,000 – depending on the size of the organization's annual budget. Participating organizations must reach the $2,500 or $5,000 donation goal in order to receive the match. This Global Challenge Grant is provided by the Seattle International Foundation.
This year's theme is "A Day of Champions," which celebrates the many champions in the community who work every day to improve education, healthcare, the arts and more – as well as those who work tirelessly to bring hope to neighbors in need.
GiveBIG participants make credit card donations through the Seattle Foundation's online Giving Center, which includes information on more than 1,700 local nonprofit organizations, as well as locally based global development organizations through the Seattle International Foundation (http://seaif.org).
Support for the 2015 GiveBIG stretch pool is provided by the Seattle Foundation, its fund-holders, as well as GiveBIG sponsors and partners. This year GiveBIG is supported by presenting partners KING 5, Microsoft, Seattle International Foundation, Seattle Sounders FC and Wyncote Foundation NW. Lead sponsors include BECU, The Boeing Company, The Medina Foundation, Millenial Media, The Seattle Times, Sonya & Tom Campion, Starbucks, #Tagboard, Trifilm and Trilogy International Partners.
Additional supporters are Apex Foundation, John Bates and Carolyn Corvi, Colonial Consulting, Deloitte, The Hayes Family, KPMG, The Mestres Family, Moss Adams, Outerwall, Ann Ramsay-Jenkins, Safeco, Tableau Foundation, and The Sheri and Les Biller Family Foundation.
Friends of GiveBIG include Alaska Airlines, Biking Billboards, The Black Family Foundation, Stacy and Marty Chilberg, Clark Nuber, Davis Wright Tremaine, Delta Dental of Washington, Dorsey Whitney, Jean Enersen Health and Wellness Foundation, Mark and Mitchell Dyce-Ryan, Fox's Seattle, Kate Janeway and Howard Wright, K&L Gates, Dave and Sue Holt, Marrella Fund, Metropolitan Grill "Guess the Dow" Fund, Nova Fisheries, ORS Impact, Linda S. Park, Brad Smith and Kathy Surace-Smith, Puget Sound Energy, Taco Time Northwest, TransFirst, United Way King County, Washington Women's Foundation, and Bob and Jan Whitsitt.
Additional GiveBIG information and updates are available at http://www.seattlefoundation.org/GiveBIG.
The Seattle Foundation's mission is to foster powerful and rewarding philanthropy to make King County a stronger, more vibrant community for all. 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. We made $85 million in grants in 2014 and offer an online Giving Center at www.seattlefoundation.org to provide current information on community issues and nonprofit organizations.
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SOURCE The Seattle Foundation
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