Twice the number of local nonprofits will participate in the upcoming Arkansas Gives campaign after the event debuted a year ago.
More than $207,000 was raised for 20 local nonprofits during the first campaign in 2015. A total of 41 nonprofits registered before Feb. 15 to be included in the 2016 campaign.
"We encourage Garland County citizens to support their favorite charity on April 7," said Cheryl Cooper, executive director of the Hot Springs Area Community Foundation.
All online gifts made through ArkansasGives.org from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on April 7 will help nonprofit participants earn bonus funds from a $400,000 pool provided by the Arkansas Community Foundation. The foundation announced a goal of $4 million to be raised in its second statewide online giving campaign.
A total of $2.3 million was raised for 361 nonprofits in Arkansas in the first campaign. Participation has increased to 600 nonprofits this year.
"The nonprofits are responsible for getting their donors," Cooper said. "They are responsible for contacting them, telling them that there are matching opportunities and to give on that day if possible."
Ann Carrithers, associate director of the Hot Springs foundation, said she was pleasantly surprised by the amount of donations received during the inaugural event. Carrithers served as executive director from 1995 until last summer, when she announced her intention to retire.
"We want to have them be as successful as possible because our mission is to encourage philanthropy and charitable giving, whether it is to us or other nonprofits," Carrithers said.
Only online donations through the Arkansas Gives website will help nonprofits qualify for funds from the $400,000 bonus pool. Donations made by check or over the phone will not qualify for the campaign.
Donors can visit ArkansasGives.org to check which nonprofits will participate. Users can search by name, location or by the type of work a nonprofit conducts.
Gifts of $25 with a credit card can be made online through a mobile phone, table or computer. Donors can make a gift to several nonprofits in one transaction and receive an email with acknowledgment of the gift for tax records.
The more money supporters donate through ArkansasGives.org will qualify nonprofits to receive more bonus dollars and prizes. A nonprofit that receives 2 percent of the total amount given online on April 7 will receive 2 percent of the $400,000 with a chance to qualify for additional prizes.
The bonuses provide incentives for nonprofits to connect with donors. Bonuses are provided for accomplishments such as receiving the most donations, most contributors or the most total amount in the campaign.
First Security Bank will contribute $60,000 in prize money for nonprofits who raise the most and receive gifts from the most individual donors. Nonprofits will be ranked and evaluated in small, medium and large categories.
The Arkansas Nonprofit Alliance and AT&T help make the event possible and will host the headquarters on April 7.
Only local nonprofits will receive funds from a pool created by the Hot Springs Giving Circle. A pool of $10,000 will benefit the most successful local organizations.
The Hot Springs Area Community Foundation office will have a leader board on display on April 7 in the Regions Tower at 835 Central Ave., Suite 402-F. Donors will be able to visit the office and receive assistance with their online donations.
"We really didn't know what role we could play that much last year," Carrithers said.
Donors can call the office at 501-620-4008 for assistance with online giving. Carrithers said the campaign allows nonprofits to reach new donors.
"It helps their philanthropic effort in a lot of ways, not just getting some money," Carrithers said. "It's a grand way of charitable giving."
Cooper began as the new executive director on July 1. Carrithers assumed the new role of associate director to help with a yearlong transition.
The foundation has provided more than $8.5 million in grants for projects in the community since 1991. It supports charitable programs that work for Garland County by offering tools to help local citizens protect, grow and direct their charitable dollars as they learn about the community's needs.
The Arkansas Community Foundation has provided more than $140 million in grants since 1976 and has partnered with thousands of Arkansans to help them improve neighborhoods, towns and the state. Contributions to the state foundation, its funds and any of its 27 affiliates are fully tax deductible.
Local on 03/26/2016