Give Local America has brought its national day of giving movement to New York City, with the May 3 launch of Give Local New York City, a 24-hour, online crowd funding event. Thirty-three of the more than 200 NYC non-profits organizations participating are based in our hometown Brooklyn.
Local organizations Brooklyn Borough President Eric L. Adams say, the generosity of New Yorkers will help them raise needed funds for Give Local New York City (GLNYC) – a 24-hour, online crowd funding event.
“A spirit of generosity defines the community of One Brooklyn, where people have traditionally reached deep into their pockets to support the religious institutions and non-profit groups that are the foundations of our community,” said Adams. “Give Local New York City is a great way to engage and support local groups that continue to make Brooklyn and New York City a great place to live, work, and recreate.”
Kimbia, the technology company behind the initiative, saw an opportunity to use its technology to support nonprofits which are often underfunded. The result was Give Local America, which now provides a chance for people of all means to grab a computer, or smart phone, to support their favorite participating nonprofit.
“This event is about giving every person and every nonprofit the opportunity to join in the collective fight to improving the long-term outlook of our communities, and ultimately our country,” said Janet Torres, Director of Partnership Development for Kimbia.
“Weeksville Heritage Center is excited to participate in the inaugural Give Local New York City event. Our founding Executive Director Joan Maynard once said: ‘Every place has a Weeksville, where ordinary people came together to build a community’—we believe that philanthropy is for every man,” said DéLana Dameron-John, Weeksville Heritage Center’s Director of Strategic Development. “This one-day of giving will provide an opportunity for every person to support and sustain institutions that are operating and serving their communities.”
GLA, and by extension GLNYC, began as a way to celebrate non-profit organizations and the work they do by showing appreciation through unrestricted donations – a resource that many non-profits struggle with. Participation in the nationwide event is free for participating nonprofit organizations.
The United Way, the Human Services Council and local elected officials are promoting the effort as a way for non-profits to raise money, to fill the gaps that can’t be filled with public funds and specially-designated dollars.
In addition to raising funds the participating groups will be able to build capacity in a way they may not have been able to in the past. Non-profits that participate in GLNYC will be taught how to engage donors even after the event is over – through social media and other means. Many groups don’t have the resources, or time, to figure out how to maximize their presence on social media, and Give Local America is hoping to change that.
“A Giving Day is a powerful 24-hour online fundraising tool that unites a community around local causes,” said Ms. Torres. “Give Local NYC is a great way to build community, connect donors to local nonprofits, teach organizations to use digital tools and generate excitement about community causes.” She added, “Non-profits have to the ability to raise funds that complement and leverages funding received by government entities.”
“A cultural institution committed to providing free and reduced-priced historic Educational tours, performing arts, and meeting spaces to central Brooklyn comes at a cost,” said Ms. Dameron-John. “Participating in Give Local NYC will not only allow us exposure to communities we might not yet have been able to reach, but it will amplify our commitment to our mission of documenting, preserving, and interpreting the free black community of Historic Weeksville through a contemporary lens, while also bolstering our general operating funds to ensure that the institution is here tomorrow, and after.”
In its first two years, GLA raised more than $120 million dollars for nonprofit. In 2014 the initiative broke records by raising $53 million for 7,000 nonprofits; in 2015, GLA once again broke a record by raising $68 million for 9,000 nonprofits. Give Local America is inviting community partners and nonprofit supporters to make fundraising history for the third consecutive year in 2016.
If you want to support a local nonprofit – Save the Date! You will have 24-hours on May 3rd to show some love to your favorite participating organization. Donations can be made via www.GiveLocalNYC.org.
The Give Local NYC giving day begins on May 3rd 2016 from 12:00am ET – 11:59:59pm ET.
