GiveBIG
What: One-day online charitable giving event
When: All day Wednesday, May 9
Where: www.givebigseattle.org
Who: Local nonprofits participating in GiveBIG with match opportunities, including Dungeness River Audubon Center, North Olympic Land Trust and Jefferson Land Trust
The Seattle Foundation’s annual GiveBIG looks to go out with a bang on Wednesday, May 9, as it looks to help nonprofits across the state with its eight and final online fundraiser.
For the past seven years, the one-day online charitable giving event has raised millions of dollars for nonprofits around Puget Sound, including those on the North Olympic Peninsula.
Donations can be made to participating nonprofits Wednesday, May 9, from midnight to midnight (Pacific Time) at www.givebigseattle.org.
For its final year the theme is “GiveBIG For All,” reflecting the important impact one person can have in their community when they participate in a collective event like GiveBIG.
“The power of GiveBIG is its ability to bring together communities from all around Puget Sound on a single day in support of nonprofits working to improve the quality of life in our region,” said Tom Sanford, North Olympic Land Trust executive director.
“The united support experienced through GiveBIG not only helps to strengthen organizations financially, but it also increases community awareness and provides a platform for individuals to invest in their community in a collective and impactful way.”
Powell Jones, Dungeness River Audubon Center executive director, said, “Organized giving events are important to community based organizations, like the Dungeness River Audubon Center, because they stimulate awareness, start important conversations with donors and stakeholders, and provide steady financial support for the amazing work being done by NPOs in our community.”
Many participating nonprofits have match opportunities during GiveBIG where every dollar donated is stretched to have an even greater impact. That includes three peninsula nonprofits:
• Located in Sequim’s Railroad Bridge Park, the Dungeness River Audubon Center provides educational programs and enjoyable events in the natural sciences for people of all ages. The Olympic Peninsula Audubon Society will match the first $2,000 in donations to the center. (www.givebigseattle.org/dungeness-river-audubon-center)
• Dedicated to the conservation of open spaces, local food, local resources, healthy watersheds and recreational opportunities, the North Olympic Land Trust’s mission is to conserve lands that sustain the communities of Clallam County. A dollar-for-dollar match is available for the first $2,400 donated toward the trust. (www.givebigseattle.org/north-olympic-land-trust)
• A nonprofit, community-driven conservation organization in Jefferson County, the Jefferson Land Trust aims to help protect habitat for wildlife and facilitate generational transfer of land. Thanks to an anonymous donor, $5,000 in matching funds is available as a dollar-for-dollar match until the challenge is reached. (www.givebigseattle.org/jefferson-land-trust-1)
About GiveBIG
Last year, $19 million was generated thanks to the generous individuals who together contributed to more than 1,700 nonprofits on GiveBIG.
The Seattle Foundation reported a decline in donor participation, especially as national charitable giving events like “Giving Tuesday” (day after Thanksgiving) grow in their support.
“After a successful 2018, we believe it will be time to look forward with our nonprofit partners to identify new ways Seattle Foundation can support the sector’s capacity to meet our community’s needs,” according to a blog post by the Seattle Foundation.
