Over 200 nonprofits will raise funds during this year’s Give More 24! on Thursday, Sept. 22.
The 24-hour long online fundraiser is organized by the Community Foundation for Southwest Washington. The nonprofits who have signed up are aiming to raise $3.5 million this year.
“Generosity has always been one of our region’s greatest strengths, and we’re hoping the momentum donors and nonprofits have created through Give More 24! will continue this year,” foundation President Matt Morton stated in a release. “We know times are getting tougher for many, which is precisely when we need to show up for one another and give more as a community.”
Battle Ground HealthCare will participate in this year’s event with the hope of raising $50,000.
“We use (the money) to fund operations here as well as to provide services to people in the community who need health care,” said Battle Ground HealthCare Director of Development Alissa Watkins.
Executive Director Sue Neal said covering the clinic’s operational costs, which includes paying their bills and staff, among other things, is the most challenging area to fund. Neal noted they often rely on grants and other means.
She said a fundraiser that supports operations is “unique, rare and extremely appreciated.”
Tina Diluzio, the development and administrative associate at the clinic, said the fundraiser helps raise awareness for local nonprofits.
“I think we just continue to grow each year and grow our support each year, which has been a real benefit of this particular fundraiser. … In our case, we’ve expanded and increased the number of people who support us and continue to support us after the event,” Diluzio said.
Watkins said the hundreds of organizations that participate in the fundraiser greatly benefit from the support they receive each year.
“It just goes to show you when you invest in your supporters, they will invest in you. It’s been interesting to be able to see that,” she said.
When the COVID-19 pandemic was at its worst, Neal highlighted how supportive the community was in assisting Battle Ground HealthCare and other nonprofits.
“It’s so important to have people be able to know more about you, and with the format of this fundraiser, it is a virtual fundraiser, so that really got much more energy, footprint, or awareness about our organization and many others,” Neal said.
Watkins said the organization plans to build a fund this year so they can match donations dollar for dollar during several periods on the day of the fundraiser. She said that provides more people with an incentive to donate, which in turn, allows people’s donations to have a bigger impact.
The Community Foundation for Southwest Washington raised $3.3 million for 207 nonprofits in Clark, Cowlitz and Skamania counties last year, stated a news release from the organization.
People who want to donate can go online to givemore24.org to find a nonprofit they want to donate to. On Sept. 22, supporters can make donations directly to their favorite causes and are able to watch the overall total of donations change in real-time.
“Generosity happens in our communities every day, but this is a day when we can see that collective tide of goodwill rising,” Morton stated in the release. “It’s important because we need to celebrate the contributions we make — nonprofits and neighbors alike — and the impact our giving creates.”
