SARASOTA, Fla. — The 8th edition of the annual 24-hour donation marathon known as the Giving Challenge is officially underway.
Starting Tuesday, more than 700 non-profits are looking to raise millions of dollars for their various causes. The organizations — located throughout Sarasota, Manatee, Desoto and Charlotte counties — would get a boost from the community and philanthropic organizations over the next 24 hours.
The 2024 Giving Challenge runs from
A pop-up event kicked off the fundraising at the Bay Park in Downtown Sarasota with another scheduled to start at 6 p.m. followed by a schedule or other events to galvanize the community.
The online fundraising event has raised more than $75 million since it began in 2012.
The key thing about this challenge is the unlimited dollar-for-dollar match by The Patterson Foundation. That organization has donated more than $30 million since the Giving Challenge started.
Organizers said the event is an opportunity for individuals, groups of families and friends, or even neighbors to get together and support causes they care about.
"Imagine that, for them to have this wonderful infusion of unrestricted dollars and their hard work reaching out to donors, new and prospective," Roxie Jerde, president and CEO of The Community Foundation, said.
"It's a really great time to shine this bright, bright light on organizations that may not always think about how vital they are and important to our quality of life," she added.
"We have so many people still struggling, a lot of ALICE families working hard but having a hard time making ends meet, and our food banks that are absolutely vital," Jerde said.
The 2024 edition of the Giving Challenge is the first since the nonprofit Bay Park has been open. Seven non-profits are participating in the pop-up station to allow folks to interact with the different nonprofit organizations in the community and learn more about the Giving Challenge.
"This is a very special 24-hour period. We want as many people to give not just to the Bay but to the many many nonprofits in our community," Diana Shaheen from Bay Park said.
"Think of all the nonprofits in our area who matter to you and who matter to the community and make an effort to just give a little $25, $50, or $100, it'll make a huge difference," she said.
When the pop-up event ends at 7 p.m., a select group of individuals and organizations will carry on with the Nonstop Overnight Giving Challenge to continue fundraising.