The 2016 Giving Challenge begins on September 20th

The Giving Challenge is a fast‐paced 24-hour fundraising event that serves more than 450 nonprofit organizations located throughout Sarasota, Manatee, DeSoto and Charlotte counties. Since the Giving Challenge begin in 2012, donors have given their financial support to local nonprofits by providing more than $15 million to the organizations of their choosing. Last year’s Giving Challenge set an unprecedented amount of raised funds when more than $7 million was donated in just 24 hours to benefit the 449 nonprofits involved.

People who want to aid the nonprofits in our community this year, can go online and make a secure donation in order to help these important organizations thrive. In order to participate in the Giving Challenge, be sure to visit the website on Tuesday, September 20th at noon through Wednesday, September 21st at noon to donate to your choice of the hundreds of organizations serving our four local counties.

To view the participating organizations, visit www.thegivingpartner.org. Each organization provides an in-depth profile in order to have you understand exactly how your donation will impact their company.

This year, The Patterson Foundation is incentivizing donations from both new and returning donors. This opportunity encourages organizations to engage new online donors, as well as returning supporters from previous years.

The Patterson Foundation will provide support by matching new donors in a 2:1 match for up to $100 per donor, per organization, and they will also match returning donor’s contributions in a 1:1 match for up to $100 per donor, per organization.

The 2016 Giving Challenge is presented by the Community Foundation of Sarasota County with additional support from The Patterson Foundation, Manatee Community Foundation, John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, William G. and Marie Selby Foundation, and the Herald-Tribune Media Group.

Please visit their website at www.givingpartnerchallenge.org to learn more about this important fundraising event for our community.