May 27, 2015—Please find updated Big Give results and information here
587 local nonprofits receive donations during the Biggest Give ever
Columbus, OH (May 13, 2015)—The Columbus Foundation announced a new record for The Big Give, with a preliminary $15,002,597 leveraged to support 587 central Ohio nonprofits.
The Big Give, a 24-hour online community giving rally to support local nonprofits, saw a 40 percent increase over the last event, held in 2013, that leveraged $10.6 million. A record number of donations, 19,902, were received this year. Donations were received from all 50 states.
Generous donors set the pace early for The Big Give yesterday—with more than $1.6 million flooding in during the first hour.
During the final minutes of The Big Give, George A. Skestos, through the Trinity Foundation, a Supporting Foundation of The Columbus Foundation, generously donated $100,000 to the bonus pool to put the total over $15 million and increase the bonus pool to $1.4 million.
“The Big Give is a broad-based, grass roots effort that serves as a terrific opportunity for the whole community to come together and collectively bolster nonprofit organizations serving central Ohio,” said Douglas F. Kridler, president and CEO of The Columbus Foundation. “From the $1.4 million bonus pool from Foundation donors and partners to the unprecedented response from our community and beyond, this record-breaking giving rally illustrates how our community’s generous spirit is both contagious and transformative. This is a philanthropic phenomenon.”
All donations received during The Big Give were eligible for bonus pool funds on a pro rata basis, giving everyone who participated the opportunity to have their donation(s) amplified. In addition, all credit card fees were covered by The Columbus Foundation, so 100 percent of donations went directly to the nonprofits.
Thanks to three generous, homegrown businesses that joined the Foundation as promotional partners—Homage, Piada Italian Street Food, and Donatos—everyone who gave during The Big Give received rewards for supporting their favorite nonprofits when they showed their tax receipt.
The Foundation introduced a Big Give Instagram contest as a way for nonprofits and individuals to spread the message and encourage everyone in the community to give big. Nearly 900 entries were received using the hashtag #BigGiveTCF. A total of four winners were chosen by Homage, Piada Italian Street Food, Donatos, and Medical Mutual of Ohio. Each winner received a $2,500 grant to award to the nonprofit of their choice.
During the 24-hour event, $30,000 in surprise grants were awarded to nonprofits. These prizes, grants starting at $500, were announced via social media. They included an additional 15 winners chosen from the Instagram contest.
The Harmony Project produced a mural titled “Give” in honor of The Big Give. The 16’ x 6’ mural was painted on site at the Foundation over the course of the 24-hour event by lead artist Jeremy Jarvis, with support from artists Sarah Hout, Mandy Cooke, and Keturah Ariel, as well as a host of volunteers coordinated by the Harmony Project. The poem, When Giving is All We Have by Alberto Rios, was the inspiration for the piece.
About The Big Give
The Big Give was created by The Columbus Foundation in 2011 to give the central Ohio nonprofit community an economic boost. Utilizing the Foundation’s online marketplace, PowerPhilanthropy®, thousands of people have showed their spirit by logging on to columbusfoundation.org and giving to their favorite central Ohio nonprofits during The Big Give. Two events, held in 2011 and 2013, resulted in 32,039 gifts from 820 cities across the country. The three Big Give events have leveraged a total of $34.1 million for central Ohio nonprofits.
About The Columbus Foundation
The Columbus Foundation is the trusted philanthropic advisor® to more than 2,000 individuals, families, businesses, and communities that are making a difference in the lives of others through the most effective philanthropy possible. Power Philanthropy® was launched in 2008 to share community knowledge and help donors make informed choices about their charitable giving. Visit columbusfoundation.org or call 614/251-4000 to learn how we can help you achieve your charitable goals and strengthen the community today and in the future.