Today Marks 4th Annual Idaho Gives

IDAHO FALLS — The clock is ticking: today, over the course of just 24 hours, thousands of Idahoans will raise hundreds of thousands of dollars for more than 800 nonprofit causes across the state. The giving all happens over one central website, www.idahogives.org. Driven by the idea that nonprofits can “Do More, Together,” Idaho Gives is an opportunity for nonprofits of all sizes to engage existing supporters and reach new donors. Donors give directly to the nonprofits of their choice, and participating organizations engage in friendly competition to win extra award money throughout the day from a pool of $57,000 dollars raised by the Idaho Nonprofit Center and donated by generous Idaho companies and individuals.

Now in its fourth year, Idaho Gives has raised more than $2.3 million for Idaho nonprofits since its inception in 2013, with support from tens of thousands of Idahoans. Event organizers and nonprofits are optimistic that Idahoans will turn up again this year to support the nonprofit organizations that provide essential human services, arts and cultural opportunities, care for animals, and many of their other functions that citizens in our state have come to rely on.

Nonprofit organizations have been busy reaching out to supporters new and old—via direct mail, email, web sites, and social media—to drive traffic and donations to idahogives.org for the upcoming giving day. The event kicked off at 12:00am and ends tonight at 11:59pm. Event organizers will provide up-to-date information and photos from across the state throughout the day via Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Final results will be available Friday morning.

“It’s incredibly exciting to see so many people across the state come together for such a positive reason,” said Amy Little, Executive Director of the Idaho Nonprofit Center, which is presenting the event. “Whether you find a new cause to support, give to organizations you already know and love, or do a bit of both, you can’t help but be infected with Idaho’s generous spirit on this day.”

Nonprofits have planned celebrations, service projects, and special events all over the state. For an up-to-date listing of events and local contacts, click here.

Last year, Idaho Gives raised more than a million dollars for more than 660 charitable causes statewide. The event mostly takes place online, driven by a central idahogives.org web site, where donors can learn about and designate funds for nonprofits in a variety of categories.

Idaho Gives is sponsored by Idaho Central Credit Union, PacificSource Health Plans and the Idaho National Laboratory. For more information, go to www.idahogives.org, or look for Idaho Gives on Facebook and Twitter.