MANSFIELD, Ohio – On Dec. 1 the Richland County Foundation will host Richland Gives, a 12-hour day of giving with the goal of encouraging charitable donations through an online platform.
Starting at 7 a.m. on Dec. 1, anyone wishing to donate to a local nonprofit organization in Richland County can visit RichlandGives.org to make their donation. Maura Teynor, director of donor services and communications at the Foundation, said Richland Gives is designed to encourage the community to contribute to local nonprofits through a single giving website.
“The idea is everybody gives on one day to support the nonprofits in your community,” she said.
Richland Gives will last from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Dec. 1 with the goal of raising a combined $500,000 towards local nonprofits. Brady Groves, president of the Richland County Foundation, said the half a million goal was based on money raised in larger communities participating in similar efforts.
“It sounds like a big number, but Columbus does the same thing and can pull in close to $2 million,” said Groves. “We’ve seen big numbers procured by larger cities on the same day, so we’re dreaming big.”
“We already know people who live here are generous based on the support they give the Foundation,” added Teynor. “We’re not that large of a county, but we have generous people.”
Currently 45 nonprofits in the county are participating in Richland Gives. In order to participate, nonprofit organizations must be a 501c3 tax-exempt nonprofit organization.
Teynor explained during Richland Gives, there will be two leader boards tracking donations – one for small nonprofits with a budget of less than $250,000, and one for large nonprofits. With the help of generous sponsors, the Richland County Foundation will offer cash prizes to inspire nonprofit and donor participation on the day of the event.
“Whichever small and large nonprofit raises the most money on that day will get a $1,500 prize,” said Teynor. “Second place will get $500 and $250 for third.”
Any individual may donate no matter where they live in the country, and donations are 100 percent tax deductible. The minimum donation is $10 and there is no maximum donation limit. Donations are tax-deductible and non-refundable, and contributions may be made via credit and debit card only.
There will also be three designated “golden hours” during Richland Gives where nonprofits will have a chance to win an extra prize – a 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. early bird hour, a 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. afternoon delight and a 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. power hour.
“The nonprofit regardless of size that engages the most unique donors during those hours can win $500. So there is incentive there,” said Teynor.
In addition to golden hours and friendly competition, Teynor said the Richland County Foundation will host visitors from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. if donors need help getting online to make their contributions, or would like to socialize. She encouraged nonprofits to host events at their own locations to invite donors in.
While the benefit of Richland Gives is of course to raise money, Teynor noted nonprofits will have the added benefit of using RichlandGives.org as an online giving platform for the next year. Organizations can track donations in real-time and will have access to donor names and contact information, unless the donor chooses to make an anonymous contribution.
“Those nonprofits will now have all that donor information so they can interact with their donors moving forward,” said Teynor.
To participate in Richland Gives on Dec. 1, visit RichlandGives.org.
