Within 15 minutes of The Big Give kickoff on September 17, 2013, 300 central Ohio nonprofits had already received donations. The 24-hour online giving effort reached $1 million and 1,000 donations in less than 40 minutes!
Thanks to an incredible response from people in our community, across the country, and around the world, the Foundation’s second Big Give leveraged more than $10.6 million for 569 central Ohio nonprofit organizations.
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 total, a record $1.1 million in bonus pool funds was raised during an outpouring of generosity from the Foundation, its family of donors, and community partners.
“The Salvation Army in Central Ohio was able to increase services to those in this community struggling with the consequences of poverty. Monies raised put food on our pantry shelves, paid GED testing fees, and helped to make a new house a home.”
Major Frank Kirk, Divisional Secretary for the Salvation Army in Central Ohio
In addition, all credit card fees were covered by The Columbus Foundation, so 100 percent of donations went directly to the nonprofits. In 2011, the first Big Give raised $8.5 million for 501 nonprofits.
Four leading Columbus-based businesses partnered with the Foundation to offer rewards to Big Give donors. Gateway Film Center, Homage, Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams, and Piada Italian Street Food all offered discounts or free items to Big Give participants.
Created to support nonprofits working to strengthen and improve our community, The Big Give is a 24-hour giving marathon that uses the Foundation’s online marketplace, PowerPhilanthropy,® to help thousands of people show their spirit by giving to central Ohio nonprofits they care about.