The Giving Challenge is an awe-inspiring display of community generosity that makes us proud to live in the region.
As donors, nonprofit organizations, businesses, media, foundations and volunteers, we come together for a 24-hour period of online giving benefitting more than 700 local organizations.
We experience what it feels like to be aligned in purpose. The Giving Challenge conveys the idea that each of us can play a meaningful role in making a difference.
Hosted by our friends at the Community Foundation of Sarasota County who dedicate hundreds of hours to support the thoughtful planning, communications, nonprofit training, accounting, and donor outreach required to make it a success, the Giving Challenge is also enriched by a treat unheard of anywhere in the country. The Patterson Foundation matches up to $100 per person per organization to strengthen giving–no other strings attached. (Learn more about their support here.)
The Selby Foundation invests in special “prizes” that incentivize organizations to take things one step beyond online donations.
We are proud to encourage creative nonprofit collaborations in their fundraising campaigns, support business partnerships that increase audience and participation in giving, and encourage board members to get involved as they step into their roles. Grant prizes for organizations that rise to the top in these spaces, in addition to others, are shared here.
Why do we support the Giving Challenge?
Here are 5 reasons based on the Selby Foundation’s own values:
- Humanity. We know that people crave the opportunity to experience our shared humanity. Seeing thousands of friends and strangers give to the causes most important to them over the 24-hour period qualifies! This is a beautiful thing. It allows our most personal cares to be expressed and to do so in unison with others who share their values through giving.
- Humility. Being present to see the Giving Challenge unfold is humbling. The online, real-time updates of amounts raised and the number of gifts received. The power of one $25 gift times many thousands. The position of one organization on the leaderboard, together with hundreds of others. The numbers tell us it takes a village to support the health of our community. It is a microcosm of the social sector.
- Social responsibility. A powerful motivator for giving is our feeling of personal responsibility to care for people, places and animals that we want to see thriving. The Giving Challenge inspires important conversations about purpose and duty in our changing world.
- Innovation. The peer-to-peer fundraising technology evolves every year. The creativity and experimentation organizations offer as they engage givers in their campaigns through photos, videos, stories and events are endless. The partnerships formed pave the way for collaborations that last throughout the year.
- Stewardship. During the Giving Challenge, nonprofits can see their donors’ gifts in real time, providing an unparalleled opportunity to thank them within minutes. Going forward, wrapping gratitude around the “club” of people who chose to support their organization–out of 724 others–is an opportunity to steward dedicated followers for future support and engagement.
There is so much more, but it’s not our story to tell.
We look forward to watching the good unfold on April 9 and 10, 2024 in all of the ways our community will see it actualized.