Get ready to Give4Marion
The annual 33-hour fundraiser will help support more than 100 local nonprofit agencies.
Nonprofit representatives pose with their Give4Marion 2024 checks during a Community Foundation for Ocala/Marion County event at the Marion Theatre in Ocala. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette file photo]
The Community Foundation for Ocala/Marion County will host Give4Marion on Tuesday and Wednesday, Sept. 16 and 17. The annual event is designed to bring together donors, businesses and nonprofits to strengthen Marion County through the power of collective giving.
Last year, the fifth campaign raised more than $3 million for local nonprofits. This year, organizers hope to surpass that milestone and further demonstrate Marion County’s spirit of generosity.
During Give4Marion, individuals across Marion County are encouraged to donate to the nonprofits that work tirelessly to improve lives. From supporting children and families to caring for veterans, protecting animals, preserving the arts and meeting critical community needs, every donated dollar has impact.
“Every gift, no matter the size, makes a difference,” said Lauren Deiorio, president and executive director of the foundation, in a news release. “Through matching gift opportunities and Power Hours, donors can maximize their impact and help local nonprofits do even more for the people they serve.”
Give4Marion started as a 24-hour, online fundraiser to help nonprofits recoup lost revenue from the COVID-19 pandemic. Since then, it has grown into the 33-hour event that helps bring awareness to the nonprofits, connects them to new donors and volunteers, and strengthens their relationship with the community. Over the past five years, Give4Marion has raised nearly $6 million for local nonprofits. It also has become a social media phenomenon.
A big part of the excitement surrounding Give4Marion each year are Matching Moments, in which sponsors offer significant amounts of money to match donor gifts, sometimes at double or triple the original dollar figure. Last year, appeal after appeal, many of them noting the times for Matching Moments, rolled across social media in hopes of organizations capitalizing on the extra funding. There also are Power Hour prizes, with challenges such as most donors, most donations, social media challenges or random drawings.
“This year, more than 111 nonprofit organizations are expected to participate. A record number of local businesses and charitable foundations have also agreed to be event sponsors, offering hourly prizes and matching gifts. Power Hour prizes will be awarded to large, medium and small nonprofits that complete specific challenges within the designated hour. Donors can also take part in exciting Matching Moments, when every contribution is matched dollar-for-dollar up to $100. In addition, many nonprofits have secured their own matching gifts, giving each donation the chance to go even further,” Deiorio explained.
Toby and Ron “Rondo” Fernandez of The Rock are shown in a Rock Room at a local school. [Ocala Gazette file photo]
Executive Director Troy Weaver said by phone on Tuesday that “Give4Marion is a significant fundraiser for The Rock because we take so many donations of essential items, such as hygiene products, school supplies, clothing and shoes–however, people forget that we need financial donations as well.”
“Give4Marion has been a great way for us to get the community to understand the financial needs of our nonprofit so we could buy other things. It has helped us educate the community about what we do and why we do it,” he said.
Kimberly’s Center for Child Protection works with the Department of Children and Families and local law enforcement to provide a safe, child-friendly environment for children to talk about abuse and begin healing.
As for how Give4Marion will help the center this year, Executive Director Dawn Westgate said via email that the nonprofit’s campaign “will include both an awareness component and a fundraising campaign targeted at protecting our children, both in the real world and online.”
“Our campaign will directly support our Internet Crimes Against Children collaboration with the Marion County Sheriff’s Office and the Ocala Police Department,” she explained.
Clothing, shoes and other items for children who are victims of abuse are shown at Kimberly’s Center for Child Protection in Ocala. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette file photo]
To participate, go to give4marion.org and select the nonprofit(s) you want to support. Donors are encouraged to send an ecard to help spread the word and there is a button on the website to make that an easy step to take. The FAQ (frequently asked questions) tab on the site offers a lot of information about how donations are processed and when the nonprofits receive the funds.
The community foundation was established in 2011 as a tax-exempt public charity. It helps donors maximize impact through expert giving advice, personalized fund management and collaboration with nonprofits, businesses and civic leaders. By raising local giving and building long-term charitable capital, the foundation drives sustainable solutions and strengthens the community.
To learn more about the foundation, go to ocalafoundation.org
For more information about Give4Marion and to make donations, go to give4marion.org
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