Support a local nonprofit Tuesday for a day of online giving across the Hampton Roads area.
Last month, 108 organizations registered for the first-ever Give Local 757 event, a 24-hour online philanthropy push organized by the Peninsula Community Foundation. The day is part of the larger national giving initiative known as Give Local America.
Hampton Roads competed and won the title of “America’s Favorite Community” in a national contest as part of Give Local America, beating more than 100 communities for a $5,000 prize. The award will be added to the $30,000 nonprofit prize pool in place for Tuesday’s event.
Every registered nonprofit will receive a unique online donation form to share their website and social media to reach their existing supporters. The Give Local 757 website and social media will join new donors with nonprofits doing the work they are most passionate about.
Tammy Flynn, the Community Foundation’s director of philanthropy, said the venture started with groups registering from the Peninsula, but word quickly spread to the Southside. She said organizers did not want to turn away any nonprofit that served the region, and the response has been very positive.
“It isn’t just about May 6 and raising money for that day,” Flynn said. “They have increased their visibility and exposure on social media, they’ve learned how to promote their causes better, and after the day they’re going to have the donors coming to them because we’re connecting them to the causes that they didn’t know were there.”
In addition to a slew of prizes and matching funds available to those vying for donations, participating nonprofits have gained access to social media and online fundraising training. A team from Ferguson Enterprises provided training at their headquarters in Newport News, and there have also been multiple webinars to teach groups how to improve their web presence.
By instructing them on how to sustain their visibility and audience, Flynn said Give Local 757 becomes a 24/7 project.
“It really is transforming our community—it’s not just a tag line,” she said.
Historic Triangle nonprofits participating are:
- NetworkPeninsula
- Heritage Humane Society, Inc.
- 3E Restoration, Inc.
- Bacon Street
- Beyond Boobs! Inc.
- Child Development Resources
- Colonial Williamsburg Foundation
- Hospice House & Support Care of Williamsburg
- Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation
- Literacy for Life
- Panglossian Productions, Inc
- TNCC Educational Foundation, Inc.
- Williamsburg Volleyball Club
- Gowns for Hounds
- NATASHA House, Inc.
- Olivet Medical Ministries
- York County Library Foundation
Leading up to the big day, the Community Foundation hosted its own contest for the area’s favorite nonprofit. The top three vote-getters will be announced at midnight to kick off Give Local 757, and the champion will earn a $1,000 prize.
After the event, each nonprofit will receive a check for the total amount donated to them and the prizes won, as well as the complete database of donors who contributed to them during the event.
To learn more or to make a donation, visit the Give Local 757 website.
