November 14, 2013

GCN recognizes the critical role of nonprofits in creating thriving communities and that is why we feel so strongly about bringing greater public awareness to the work and worth of nonprofits, and about asking new donors to support that work in their own lives and communities. Georgia Gives Day is our beacon calling for people to join us in our work and contribute needed resources to accomplish that work. 

Yesterday, Georgians heard that message and replied, making the second annual Georgia Gives Day an inspiring day of awareness-building and fundraising for our state’s nonprofits. As the clock struck midnight, we broke all of last year’s records, bringing in $1,448,233 from 11,257 donations to 1,720 participating nonprofits statewide.  In fact, since we launched GAgives.org 13 months ago as a year-round giving platform, we have raised $2,352,153 for Georgia’s nonprofits.

And the giving continues! GAgives.org is open for donations year-round, and organizations that are not currently participating will be able to enroll shortly, and leverage this opportunity for end-of-year giving or as a platform to encourage people to support #GivingTuesday by giving locally.

Beyond the funds received, the Georgia Gives initiative is accomplishing something much more: it is proving the power of partnership through this uniquely massive collaboration between nonprofits, foundations, companies, government, and individuals who care. Through Georgia Gives Day, we have created a powerful annual giving movement in Georgia that will only continue to grow.

GCN is proud to lead this effort and, today, we want to express our deepest appreciation to the legion of committed partners who made it all possible:   

• Ames Scullin O’Haire designed the logo, homepage carousel images and billboards, and was the mastermind behind the Gives Day television, radio and online ad campaign.  Our public relations team at Edelman donated hundreds of hours creating the media groundswell and our first ever GA Gives event at Lenox Mall, and was awarded commendations from the Public Relations Society of America and the International Association for Business Communicators for this work. Volunteers with Community Bucket and Green Machine, Inc. helped develop the strategy and technological infrastructure for our social media and blog.  Encyclomedia continued to assist with videography and production of our Gives Day PSAs and event and Signs by Tomorrow produced our posters.

• Our media partners at Cox Media Group, WXIA-TV 11Alive, AutoTrader.com, Outdoor Advertising Association of Georgia and the Georgia Association of Broadcasters entire membership of stations have all stepped up to air the PSAs, conduct interviews, and include us in their digital and social outlets.

• The Community Foundation of Central Georgia and the Community Foundation of the Chattahoochee Valley partnered with us to run their incentive programs through GA Gives Day.

• Our financial sponsors and incentive fund sponsors have been incredibly important and supportive of this effort including—ATM screen messages and flyer distribution at every Wells Fargo bank, gifts through the Wells Fargo Foundation Days of Giving to 143 organizations; the John S. And James L. Knight Foundation’s financial incentive funds directed to nonprofits in Macon, Milledgeville and Columbus; SunTrust Foundation’s support of financial wellness programming; the Arby’s Foundation support of hunger programming; Chick-fil-A’s support of our media and public outreach; the Southwest Airlines ticket giveaway;  generous support from The Coca-Cola Company, Mohawk, Georgia Power, Gas South, the Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta, and support for our prizes from Evelyn G. Ullman and Philadelphia Insurance Companies.

• Finally, we want to thank our elected leaders, including Governor Nathan Deal, Lt. Governor Casey Cagle, Secretary of State Brian Kemp and Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed for their enthusiastic support.

On behalf of our Board of Directors and staff, I offer my heartfelt thanks to you all for helping to make it all possible.

Karen Beavor is the President and CEO of the Georgia Center for Nonprofits.