The state’s nonprofits hope that Georgians like to give as much as they like to receive during the holiday.
On Thursday, consumers can open their wallets and donate online or by phone to the nonprofits of their choice. Georgia Gives Day is a project of the Georgia Center for Nonprofits in conjunction with participating nonprofits, state agencies, corporations and businesses, and associations and foundations.
The campaign opened with a soft launch, activating its website after the Labor Day weekend. So far, contributions have exceeded $308,000. The website will remain live until the end of the month.
“We want to make sure that people know nonprofits work for you,” said the center’s CEO, Karen Beavor. “Sometimes they work in the background, sometimes they work in the forefront like food kitchens.”
More than 1,200 nonprofits are participating in the 24-hour statewide giving event, including the Georgia Coalition Against Domestic Violence and the Georgia Chapter of Autism Speaks.
The event is also designed to raise the profile of Georgia’s nonprofits and their impact in the community.
Contributors can go to the Georgia Gives Day website, www.gagivesday.org, and search by ZIP code, county, cause or specific nonprofit. They can learn more about each nonprofit on the site.
Already, Special Olympics Georgia has raised more than $3,000. Danny Knight, the director of the organization’s Torch Run and events, said while some people are cutting back for the holidays “we do see people giving more toward the end of the year as well. This is a good vehicle to reach people who may not know we’re here.”
To donate, go to the website or call 855-gagives (424-4837).
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