Midlands Gives Day, the annual 18-hour, online giving challenge hosted by Central Carolina Community Foundation, raised a record-breaking estimated total of $3,343,033 via 21,080 individual gifts. The eighth annual day of giving took place May 4, and supported 480 local nonprofits — the largest number of nonprofits in Midlands Gives history, indicating the critical need for funding due to COVID-19. To view the 2021 leaderboard of gifts and prizes, visit www.MidlandsGives.org/Leaderboards.
“The generosity of our community is inspiring. We are incredibly thankful for the thousands of everyday philanthropists that came together to support our supporters,” says JoAnn Turnquist, president and CEO of Central Carolina Community Foundation. “Our region showcased immense resiliency and pride during Midlands Gives Day, despite the pandemic’s continued presence and devastating impact. Thank you to our donors, corporate partners and nonprofits for creating hope and setting new milestones for giving.”
Nonprofits from the Foundation’s 11-county service area ranging from health and human services to youth development, education and more participated in Midlands Gives. Each participating nonprofit received at least one donation, which will help sustain and support the vital services provided across the community.
Individual donors is amplified by corporate supporters throughout the community.
“With over $155,000 in prize incentives, our generous In Good Company Network inspired giving and helped individual donations go even further,” says Turnquist. “We appreciate the generous corporations and local businesses that understand the importance of philanthropy and its crucial impact on our daily lives. We are grateful for their support during Midlands Gives Day and throughout the entire year.”
One hundred percent of each contribution, less a 2.2 percent credit card fee and 2.8 percent Neon One technology fee, went directly to the donor’s selected nonprofit. Donors also had the option to cover these fees at checkout. The Foundation does not profit from any donations made during Midlands Gives.
In Good Company Network Members — including Dominion Energy, Aflac, Nephron Pharmaceuticals Corporation, BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina, Truist and more — provided financial incentives, matching gifts and prizes for nonprofits on May 4, amplifying individuals’ contributions of $10 or more. The full list of prizes and the nonprofits awarded each prize can be found at www.MidlandsGives.org/Prizes.
The Foundation opened early giving April 1, allowing a full month of early donations to count toward Midlands Gives Day leaderboard totals. Over $315,816 was raised in advance of giving day. Participating nonprofits also raised over $800,000 in matching funds prior to the start of giving day.
The Midlands Gives website transformed into a year-round platform in 2019 to amplify and extend the reach of the one-day, online giving challenge, allowing nonprofits to connect with donors throughout the entire year.
The platform includes features such as recurring gifts and Champion Pages. Recurring gifts allow donors to automatically give to a selected nonprofit monthly, while Champion Pages allow donors and nonprofits to fundraise for specific events or projects. Additionally, Giving eCards can be purchased throughout the year and are redeemable for a donation to the recipient’s nonprofit of choice. For more information, visit www.MidlandsGives.org.
