Expanded Centre Gives online event kicks off Tuesday. Here’s how to show support for nonprofits
As many Centre County nonprofits face financial challenges due to COVID-19, the Centre Foundation has expanded its annual online giving event with an additional $100,000 stretch pool and $40,000 in prizes.
Centre Gives will begin 9 a.m. Tuesday and conclude Wednesday at 9 p.m. The 36-hour event aims to support local nonprofits. This year, the Centre Foundation has enhanced its efforts to support more than 100 community organizations by adding an additional $100,000 bonus stretch pool, $40,000 in prizes and lowered the minimum gift amount to $10.
“Times are tough for a lot of people right now, and there are a lot of people in need in our community,” Community Impact Director Rachael Hartman said. “If you’re able, please give and know that during Centre Gives, your gift will have an even greater impact.”
As nonprofits across the region have canceled traditional fundraising events this year, Centre Gives provides an “incredibly safe” way to support community agencies, Hartman said.
“This year, Centre Gives will take place entirely online with a lot of exciting livestream events planned throughout, including live performances, trivia, virtual happy hours and more,” she said. “We love how creative everyone is getting.”
Last year, Centre County donated a record $1.4 million to the campaign.
“We are constantly inspired by the incredible work nonprofits are doing to make Centre County a great place to call home,” Hartman said. “Centre Gives not only shines a spotlight on these nonprofits for 36 hours, it also provides the perfect opportunity to come together and show our support.”
Gifts can be made online at CentreGives.org.
In April, Centre Foundation established the Centre Foundation COVID-19 ACTION Fund, which opened with a balance of $375,000. The fund aims to provide operational and programmatic support to nonprofits during the pandemic.
The fund was seeded with $125,000 from the Centre Foundation Community Impact Fund. Knight Foundation pledged an additional $250,000.
“We’re providing additional funding to make the biggest impact we can, and lowering the minimum gift amount to make it easier for everyone in the community to participate,” Executive Director Molly Kunkel said. “Our community is always so generous during Centre Gives and during this time especially, we know many people are looking for ways to help. We want to make it easy for the community to join together and provide support to our great local nonprofits.”
This story was originally published May 11, 2020 at 4:27 PM.
