The Idaho Nonprofit Center will shine the spotlight on Idaho’s nonprofits and help raise needed funds by hosting the inaugural “Idaho Gives,” an unprecedented day of statewide charitable giving, on May 2.
“Idaho Gives is a unique celebration of the important role that our many nonprofits play in our communities,” said Lynn Hoffmann, Executive Director of the Idaho Nonprofit Center. “By focusing the public’s attention on the great work our nonprofits do, we hope to spur people into action on May 2—and have fun doing it. Donors can go online, pick their favorite charity, learn about other charities, and make direct donations to nonprofits through the Idaho Gives web site.”
Idaho Gives is modeled after highly successful giving days in states and cities across the country. In larger states, millions of dollars have been raised in a single day. Idahoans throughout the state will be engaged using a combination of traditional and new media. Social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter are critical tools in getting people, even those who don’t regularly contribute to nonprofits, to quickly and easily make a donation to their favorite organization(s). Hoffmann notes that the goals for the inaugural Idaho Gives are to attract more than 5000 donors, who give a combined total of more than $500,000 to hundreds of nonprofits.
The event mostly takes place online, driven by a central idahogives.org web site, where donors can learn about and designate funds for nonprofits in a number of categories, including arts & culture, children & youth, environment, humanitarian aid, education, animals, and religious organizations. Event sponsors have contributed money for a pool of award funds, which will be distributed to nonprofits through random drawings and daylong contests, allowing organizations and donors to multiply their donations.
The Idaho Nonprofit Center encourages any nonprofit with an IRS-certified 501(c)(3) designation to participate in the day. Idaho Gives allow nonprofits to elevate their profile, expand their online and social media presence, call attention to the work they’re doing, and raise critical funds. Interested nonprofits can find more information and register at the Idaho Nonprofit Center’s web site.
Hoffmann is optimistic that Idahoans will rally behind Idaho Gives: “Idaho ranks very high for the amount of time our citizens give to nonprofits. Idaho Gives will draw the entire state’s attention to the key role our nonprofits play in our communities and the importance of sustaining them with donations.”
Idaho Gives is being sponsored by St. Luke’s Idaho Health System. For more information, go to www.idahogives.org, or look for Idaho Gives on Facebook and Twitter.