Seattle Foundation’s GiveBig campaign supports local nonprofits

Fifth Annual Day of Giving event Tuesday, May 5

Donate online May 5

The Seattle Foundation’s fifth annual day of giving event, GiveBIG -- which uses their programs and funding to increase donations made that day -- is expected to provide a big boost to 1,600 area nonprofits, many of which support the Shoreline - Lake Forest Park communities:

• Arab Center of Washington
• Banchero Friends
• Center for Human Services
• Changes Parent Support Network
• Choir of the Sound
• Compass Housing Alliance
• Endangered Species Project (theater group)
• Food Lifeline
• Friends of Third Place Commons
• Goodwill
• Hopelink
• ICHS (International Community Health Services)
• Kruckeberg Botanic Gardens Foundation
• Master Gardener Foundation of King County
• New Beginnings
• North Helpline
• Northwest School for Hearing Impaired Children
• Parkview Services
• Ritecare of Washington
• Seattle Area Feline Rescue
• Shoreline Christian School
• Shoreline Community College Foundation
• Shoreline Public Schools Foundation
• Shoreline Solar Project
• Shoreline-Lake Forest Park Arts Council
• Shoreline-Lake Forest Park Senior Center
• St. Luke School
• Therapeutic Health Services
• Turning Point Seattle
• Vision House (Jacob's Well)
• Wonderland Development Center
• YMCA of Greater Seattle

The one-day online event will take place between 12:01am and 11:59pm PDT on Tuesday, May 5, with the goal of inspiring people to give generously to their favorite local nonprofits representing the Foundation’s seven elements of a healthy community – arts and culture, basic needs, economy, education, environment, health and wellness, neighborhoods and communities – as well as global health.

“GiveBIG is only one day, but it’s a day that can really make a big difference for the nonprofits which are doing so much to make our region a stronger, more vibrant place for all,” says GiveBig President and CEO Tony Mestres.

Since the Seattle Foundation introduced GiveBIG in 2011, more than $34.9 million representing more than 175,000 in individual online gifts – has been raised benefiting more than 1,600 local nonprofits. Adding Seattle Foundation’s “stretch “dollars and challenge grants made to nonprofit organizations, the GiveBIG total raised to date is more than $40 million.

This year’s theme is “A Day of Champions,” which celebrates the many champions in the community who work every day to improve education, healthcare, the arts and more – as well as those who work tirelessly to bring hope to neighbors in need.

Making this day even more impactful to participating nonprofits is that every donation made through the Seattle Foundation website will grow in size, in one or more of the following ways:

·         Stretch Fund Boost – Each donation will receive a boost from a stretch pool funded by the Seattle Foundation and GiveBIG sponsors. Each donation up to $2,500 per organization is eligible. The amount of each nonprofit’s share of the stretch pool is based on the percentage of donations the nonprofit receives of the total online contributions received. The more each nonprofit receives, the bigger the boost. Nonprofits must raise a minimum of $100 to receive stretch pool funds.

·         Golden Ticket – For each donation received, the donor will be entered into a “Golden Ticket” drawing conducted 10 times throughout the day. Winners will receive a $100 Starbucks or Taco Time gift card, and an additional $1,000 awarded in their name to their designated nonprofit.

·         Global Development Match Grant – Participating local organizations working to improve lives in developing countries are eligible for a match of either $2,500 or $5,000 – depending on the size of the organization’s annual budget. Participating organizations must reach the $2,500 or $5,000 donation goal in order to receive the match. This Global Challenge Grant is provided by the Seattle International Foundation.

This year’s theme is “A Day of Champions,” which celebrates the many champions in the community who work every day to improve education, healthcare, the arts and more – as well as those who work tirelessly to bring hope to neighbors in need.

GiveBIG participants make credit card donations through the Seattle Foundation’s online Giving Center, which includes information on more than 1,600 local nonprofit organizations, as well as locally based global development organizations through the Seattle International Foundation.

Support for the 2015 GiveBIG stretch pool is provided by the Seattle Foundation, its fund-holders, as well as GiveBIG sponsors and partners. This year GiveBIG is supported by presenting partners KING 5, Microsoft, Seattle International Foundation, Seattle Sounders FC and Wyncote Foundation NW. Lead sponsors include BECU, The Boeing Company, The Medina Foundation, Millenial Media, The Seattle Times, Sonya & Tom Campion, Starbucks, #Tagboard, Trifilm and Trilogy International Partners.

The Seattle Foundation’s mission is to foster powerful and rewarding philanthropy to make King County a stronger, more vibrant community for all. Our goal as a community foundation is to simplify giving and strengthen the impact of philanthropy for the more than 1,200 individuals, families and businesses we serve. We made $85 million in grants in 2014 and offer an online Giving Center to provide current information on community issues and nonprofit organizations.