Posted: Tuesday, April 21, 2015 11:00 pm
By Lauren Sedam
With just more than a week left before Go Big Give, the Heartland United Way and Grand Island Community Foundation are kicking it into high gear.
The event, which will focus on giving to 83 organizations in Hall, Hamilton, Howard and Merrick counties, will last for 24 hours on May 1.
On Tuesday, Heartland United Way President Karen Rathke and Grand Island Community Foundation Chief Executive Officer Tammy Morris helped spread the word at the Grand Island Rotary Club.
They said there will be plenty of new features for Go Big Give’s second year.
“It’s going to be really great for the nonprofits,” Rathke said. “That’s what this is really all about, is giving them the opportunity to be successful.”
Go Big Give allows people to donate online or in person to organizations ranging from those involved with the arts, education, parks and recreation, health, veterans and more, Morris said. Additionally, the event allows organizations to grow their money through incentives, including matching funds, hourly prizes and rewards.
Last year, the event brought in more than $252,000, with $64,000 in matching and bonus funds. Data also showed that 38 percent of donors were new donors and 17 percent gave to more than one organization.
This year, Rathke and Morris said, they hope to build on that success.
They have gone from 62 to 83 participating organizations, Morris said, and they have a goal of $300,000.
One way they plan to meet that, Morris said, is by allowing donors to schedule donations online from now until April 30. Some people said they were busy on May 1 last year and didn’t get to donate.
The organization with the most scheduled donations will receive a $1,500 bonus, she said. So far, organizations have brought in $22,000 in scheduled donations.
“It’s a twofold giving opportunity,” Rathke said. “Give now, and then give on May 1.”
Rathke and Morris also shared ways people can take the event offline.
On May 1, people can bring donations to the Conestoga Mall to give in person from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., they said. About 30 organizations will be present at booths there, too.
Additionally, some of the organizations will have special events on the day, Morris said.
For instance, she said, the Merrick County Health and Fitness Center staff will have a “Spin-a-thon” from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. For every 10 donations per hour, two staff members will stay on a bike.
The Boys Scouts of America Overland Trails Council will have a flag exchange and retirement ceremony, and Central Nebraska Community Services will have a Lemonade “Stand” Against Homelessness from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., offering lemonade and a chance to learn more about the organization.
The Edgerton Explorit Center in Aurora will offer its Shoot for the Stars event from 8:30 to 10:30 p.m., bringing in people for a night of wine, music, food and stargazing.
Further events and details are listed online at www.gobiggive.org.
Rathke said the events do a good job of sharing more about the organizations and adding an element of fun to the day of giving.
Both she and Morris said, with the expanded efforts, they should be able to meet their goal, allowing organizations to further their missions.
“I think we’re going to knock that goal out of the ballpark,” Rathke said.
“I do, too,” Morris said. “I have no doubt.”