Southwest Washington’s biggest single-day fundraiser has managed to surpass its goal for 2022, as nearly $3.7 million was raised for more than 200 nonprofits on Sept. 22.
For the ninth year of the 24-hour fundraiser, the Community Foundation for Southwest Washington set its highest goal of $3.5 million. The 6,065 donors were able to raise $3,678,015 by the midnight deadline for 216 organizations.
Community Foundation for Southwest Washington president Matt Morton said at about 10 p.m. Give More 24! was at about $100,000 from its goal.
“In the last two hours (donations) really just surged us ahead,” Morton said.
The Free Clinic of Southwest Washington raised the most of any organization with $142,665 coming from 107 donors. Five organizations were able to raise more than six figures each.
The North County Community Food Bank continued its top placement among small nonprofits this year, raising $79,790 among 43 donors. The food bank placed eighth overall among money raised.
Morton feels the ability to meet goals year after year is a testament to the event, which is almost a decade old.
“This is remarkable community-based organizations and nonprofits from all over Southwest Washington activating their donor base,” Morton said.
Morton came to the community foundation in April, making this year’s Give More 24! the first he has seen as president. He was impressed to see the behind-the-scenes work that led up to Thursday as the foundation prepared for the event.
On the day of the event, he attended events hosted at some of the foundation’s banking partners who provided both the space and in some cases matching donations that came in.
“To me, that was really touching. It was really a demonstration that we are all in this together in Southwest Washington,” Morton said.
Small businesses also stepped up to support their chosen nonprofits, Morton added.
This year saw more in-person events after two years of fully virtual or hybrid events because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Morton said the lessons learned during those years will continue to be applied where they make sense.
“Everything is different now. We’re not pre-pandemic, we’re post-pandemic, or getting there at the very least,” Morton said.
Community foundation senior communications officer Maury Harris noted the event’s presentation is never static.
“I think every year is slightly different,” Harris said. “In terms of events, people are starting to feel more comfortable coming and gathering back together.”
The pandemic-era reliance on virtual connections is also likely to stay.
“Nonprofits continue to astound us with the creative use of technology,” Harris said.
Though there were fewer individual donors this year, Morton noted donors gave more overall.
“It points to a more educated donor base that understands who they’re giving to and why,” Morton said.
After a deserved day off for staff of the community foundation, planning for 2023’s iternation of Give More 24! began. Though nothing’s solidified yet for next September, the foundation hopes to continue its success.
“I guarantee it’s still going to be fun,” Morton said.
