Mark your calendar for Thursday, September 22
People often reserve do-gooding for holidays, when food bank pantries overflow and Angel Trees are picked dry. But for North Texans, September 22 is high time for philanthropy. That’s when area residents are challenged to give to one of more than 2,500 participating North Texas charities, representing a wide range of causes.
North Texas Giving Day was created by Communities Foundation of Texas in 2009 and has raised more than $119 million for charities headquartered in the 16 counties comprising North Texas. There are no restrictions on what cause these nonprofits may support; donors can choose organizations based on personal preference.
“This is the day when you can give to whatever means the most to you and be a part of the groundswell of community spirit,” says Carol Goglia, director of marketing for Communities Foundation of Texas.
Communities Foundation of Texas manages the event and provides support to participating charities, and the individual nonprofits are tasked with spreading the word and creating grassroots campaigns to maximize donations September 22. Donors have from 6 a.m. to midnight that day to make contributions online, with the capability to search registered organizations by cause and location.
If someone just wants to make a general donation with no specific cause in mind, they can give to the Bonus Fund, which is distributed among participants based on a percentage calculated from the overall donation amount.
Last year, $33 million was raised through more than 118,000 gifts, benefiting 2,020 nonprofits in North Texas. This year, Collin County residents have 291 charities represented in our county alone, and 123 nonprofits from Plano are registered to receive donations.
North Texas Giving Day is an online event, but Carol says its effects are tangible in terms of community spirit and philanthropic sentiment.
“It’s a day we can all come together and support the diverse community we live in,” she says. “It’s just one big group hug.”
How you can help on September 22:
- Donate to the registered nonprofit of your choice
- Give money to the Bonus Fund pool
- Set up a Challenge Fund
- Rally a group at your office to donate
- If you’re an employer, match employee gifts
- Spread the word on social media using #NTXGivingDay
