Centre Gives raises record $2.3 million for local nonprofits during 36-hour fundraiser
Centre Gives wrapped up on Thursday, raising a record $2,316,315 with more than 15,000 donations.
The 36-hour annual online fundraising event hosted by the Centre Foundation has helped raise $16.9 million for more than 200 local nonprofits and organizations throughout its 12-year tenure. More than 30 local nonprofits gathered at Talleyrand Park on Thursday evening to celebrate the final hours of the fundraiser at the Centre Gives Fest.
Molly Kunkel, President and CEO of Centre Foundation, said in a Friday press release that the donations would make a world of difference for the 205 participating organizations.
“We’re thrilled we could celebrate Centre Gives with the community in Talleyrand Park this year,” Kunkel wrote. “It was a beautiful setting for the event’s exciting conclusion.”
The in-person celebration started in 2022, offering participants a chance to celebrate and showcase their organizations.
Donations made during the fundraiser go further with a $300,000 stretch pool provided by Centre Foundation and the Hamer Foundation. Organizations also competed for $40,000 in additional prizes during “power hours” and time-sensitive challenges.
The ten organizations that received the most unique donors throughout the event were selected for a $1,000 prize.
The top five large organizations were: Centre County PAWS, Centre Volunteers in Medicine, Pets Come First, Schlow Library Foundation and State College Food Bank.
The top five small organizations were: Bellefonte Art Museum for Centre County, Centre Wildlife Care, Dyslexia Reading Center, Nittany Beagle Rescue and Park Forest Preschool.
Several local business and groups helped sponsor Centre Gives including the Hamer Foundation, FNB Wealth Management, Nestlerode & Loy Inc., Stuckey Mitsubishi, Morgan Stanley, Frost & Conn Insurance, M&T Bank, King Financial Partners, Goodco Mechanical, Leonard S. Fiore, Inc., McQuaide Blasko, State College Police Department, The Hartman Agency, CNB Bank, the William H. & Amy Sue Martin Fund and UDNI.