Seventh annual philanthropic give-a-thon returns to benefit 265 charities across Greater Waterbury and the Litchfield Hills
WATERBURY—Record-breaking generosity has been the hallmark of Give Local Greater Waterbury and Litchfield Hills since it began in 2013. On April 23 and 24, Connecticut Community Foundation will again host the 36-hour online giving event, which will benefit more local charities serving the region than ever: 265 of them this year! Ion Bank Foundation is again leading the business community’s support, serving as the presenting sponsor for the seventh consecutive year.
Since 2013, over $5.8 million has been raised for area nonprofits through Give Local. In 2018, 4,400 individuals donated to organizations whose missions ranged from feeding the hungry to promoting the arts.
Beginning at 7 a.m. on April 23 and ending at 7 p.m. on April 24, all donations to participating organizations on the website www.GiveLocalCCF.org will be boosted with $127,000 in bonus funds contributed by Connecticut Community Foundation, local business and individual sponsors. Nonprofits can also compete for $52,000 more in cash prizes.
In addition to 15 businesses and individual sponsors, several media sponsors have again stepped up to spread the word about Give Local, including the Republican-American, WATR 1320 AM, and WZBG 97.3 FM. Both radio stations will host special Give Local broadcasts to amplify the stories of the vital work of participating nonprofits.
“We’re so gratified every year to see Give Local empower more donors, whose gifts make it possible for organizations to bring countless benefits to local residents: food pantry items, theater performances, safer recreational trails, emergency veterinary care, disease prevention classes, job training… and much more.” said Julie Loughran, president and CEO of Connecticut Community Foundation. “It’s incredibly inspiring to see the entire community giving back. And seeing so much giving happen all at once and watching the online totals climb is really fun, too.”
Give Local channels flexible, unrestricted revenue to participating nonprofits serving the region—the kind of funding that they most need, since state and federal support is increasingly scarce. With unrestricted resources, organizations have the freedom to apply the dollars they raise through Give Local most effectively to meet community needs—no strings attached.
The Flanders Nature Center and Land Trust in Woodbury has participated in Give Local every year. Arthur Milnor, executive director of Flanders, said, “This year, we will earmark Give Local dollars to support our wonderful outdoor education programs. Often science learning is best accomplished when students are out of doors and combining the fun of exploration with the acquisition of knowledge. And there is no more fun place to accomplish learning about science than at the nature center with its wetlands, forestlands, fields and meadows in which to play while learning.”
View the participating nonprofit organizations and make donations during Give Local Greater Waterbury and Litchfield Hills on April 23-24 at www.givelocalccf.org.
Established in 1923, Connecticut Community Foundation fosters creative partnerships that build rewarding lives and thriving communities in 21 towns in Greater Waterbury and the Litchfield Hills. The Foundation provides leadership in addressing the region’s critical issues, strengthens local nonprofit organizations through grants and technical assistance programs, and works with individuals, families and corporations to establish and steward scholarships and charitable funds. Learn more at www.conncf.org.
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Contact:
Carol Buckheit
Director of Communications
Connecticut Community Foundation
cbuckheit@conncf.org
(w) 203-753-1315, x107
(c) 860-402-9780
Websites: www.conncf.org; www.givelocalccf.org