Hosted by Central Carolina Community Foundation, day of giving supports 480 nonprofits
(Columbia, S.C.) – Midlands Gives Day, the annual 18-hour, online giving challenge hosted by Central Carolina Community Foundation, raised a record-breaking estimated total of $3,343,033 via 21,080 individual gifts. The eighth annual day of giving took place on Tuesday, May 4, 2021, and supported 480 local nonprofits — the largest number of nonprofits in Midlands Gives history, indicating the critical need for funding due to COVID-19. To view the 2021 leaderboard of gifts and prizes, visit www.MidlandsGives.org/Leaderboards.
“The generosity of our community is inspiring! We are incredibly thankful for the thousands of everyday philanthropists that came together to support our supporters,” says JoAnn Turnquist, president and CEO of Central Carolina Community Foundation. “Our region showcased immense resiliency and pride during Midlands Gives Day, despite the pandemic’s continued presence and devastating impact. Thank you to our donors, corporate partners and nonprofits for creating hope and setting new milestones for giving.”
Nonprofits from the Foundation’s 11-county service area ranging from health and human services to youth development, education and more participated in Midlands Gives. Each participating nonprofit received at least one donation, which will help sustain and support the vital services provided across the community.
Eight Years and Over $15.9 Million Raised
Since the inception of Midlands Gives in 2014, the Foundation has raised $15,972,182 for hundreds of local nonprofits. Each year, thousands of everyday philanthropists come together to support the positive impact nonprofits have on the region’s well-being. Donations for previous years include the following:
- 2020: $3,321,683 via 22,477 individual gifts.
- 2019: $2,031,052 via 14,323 individual gifts.
- 2018: $1,756,332 via 14,665 individual gifts.
- 2017: $1,672,118 via 13,765 individual gifts.
- 2016: $1.6 million via 12,536 individual gifts.
- 2015: $1,543,032.65, via 11,372 individual gifts.
- 2014 [inaugural year]: $704,932.23 via 5,186 individual gifts.
The generosity of individual donors is amplified by corporate supporters throughout the community.
“With over $155,000 in prize incentives, our generous In Good Company Network inspired giving and helped individual donations go even further,” says Turnquist. “We appreciate the generous corporations and local businesses that understand the importance of philanthropy and its crucial impact on our daily lives. We are grateful for their support during Midlands Gives Day and throughout the entire year.”
One hundred percent of each contribution, less a 2.2% credit card fee and 2.8% Neon One technology fee, went directly to the donor’s selected nonprofit. Donors also had the option to cover these fees at checkout. The Foundation does not profit from any donations made during Midlands Gives.
Over $155,000 in Prize Incentives on Midlands Gives Day
In Good Company Network Members — including Dominion Energy, Aflac, Nephron Pharmaceuticals Corporation, BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina, Truist and more — provided financial incentives, matching gifts and prizes for nonprofits on May 4, amplifying individuals’ contributions of $10 or more. The full list of prizes and the nonprofits awarded each prize can be found at www.MidlandsGives.org/Prizes.
Early Giving Month Boosts the Impact of Midlands Gives
The Foundation opened early giving on Thursday, April 1, allowing a full month of early donations to count toward Midlands Gives Day leaderboard totals. Over $315,816 was raised in advance of giving day. Participating nonprofits also raised over $800,000 in matching funds prior to the start of giving day.
Midlands Gives Year-Round Giving Resumes May 11
The Midlands Gives website transformed into a year-round platform in 2019 to amplify and extend the reach of the one-day, online giving challenge, allowing nonprofits to connect with donors throughout the entire year.
The platform includes features such as recurring gifts and Champion Pages. Recurring gifts allow donors to automatically give to a selected nonprofit monthly, while Champion Pages allow donors and nonprofits to fundraise for specific events or projects. Additionally, Giving eCards can be purchased throughout the year and are redeemable for a donation to the recipient’s nonprofit of choice. For more information, visit www.MidlandsGives.org.
About Midlands Gives
Midlands Gives is an annual 18-hour online giving challenge and year-round giving platform for local nonprofits, powered by Central Carolina Community Foundation. Next year’s event will take place on May 3, 2022. For more information about Midlands Gives, visit www.MidlandsGives.org or call 803-254-5601.
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