Several non-profit organizations will participate today in the first Give Ozarks 24-hour online day of giving, an opportunity to advance several causes to better the area.
The Community Foundation of the Ozarks is supporting its partner non-profit agencies in the effort. Donors can assist by giving a secure donation at www.giveozarks.org. Donations are tax-deductible.
In Houston, a noon luncheon is planned at TCMH. Beginning at 2 p.m. a rally is set at Lone Star Plaza. Donation stations, refreshments and entertainment are planned.
Here is a roundup of organizations participating in this area:
•Houston Education Foundation — Endowment match for $5,000 – dollar for dollar.
•Houston Education Foundation — Raising $25,000 for computers for the Houston School District.
•TCMH Foundation — Generating funds for the endowed scholarship fund for the TCMH Youth Ambassadors.
•Texas County Food Pantry — Raising money for the weekend backpack program that provides food for 45 students at Houston Elementary School. The effort will expand to the Success School District next year. All funds raised will be matched up to $10,000. Donations can by made any time May 5 online at https://giveozarks.org/2015/texascountyfoodpantry. Donations for the program will continue being accepted at the pantry on Highway 17 just east of U.S. 63.
•Trinity Springs, Cabool — Raising funds for a sanctuary for families facing traumatic life events that is set to host families beginning next year.
•The Stars Foundation, Cabool — Raising money for the foundation that provides arts education in south-central Missouri.
•CASA of South Central Missouri, Rolla and Houston — Raising funds for the organization that ensures abused and neglected children have a safe and permanent home by providing a voice for them in the court system. It hopes to train additional volunteers.
Here are a few questions and answers about Give Ozarks Day:
What is Give Ozarks Day?
This is the first region-wide online giving day hosted by the Community Foundation of the Ozarks. Giving days have been taking place across the country for about six years now. The goal is to raise awareness of philanthropy and the important role nonprofits play in serving community needs through this collaborative community fundraising event. We also hope to introduce more people to online giving.
How to participate?
Go to giveozarks.org and choose from among about 150 agencies that will have individual pages on the website. Click “Donate Now” on any agency page to make a secure online donation to that agency. A short video on how to donate is available at: https://vimeo.com/125936157
Who is participating?
Any nonprofit that is a CFO agency partner was eligible to participate. An agency partner holds, or is in the process of obtaining, 501(c)3 or equivalent status and holds funds at the CFO. The agencies represent about 46 communities in the CFO’s service area across central and southern Missouri.
What about prizes?
Thanks to generous sponsors, nearly $93,000 in prize money is available throughout the day. The prize opportunities are detailed at: https://giveozarks.org/prizes. Many of the prizes are based on the unique online donors throughout the day, but all prize money goes to the nonprofit agencies. In addition, the CFO, through a competitive grant process, selected 24 agencies to receive 1:1 matches of up to $5,000 to build endowments, which help nonprofits achieve greater long-term financial stability. Prizes will be announced on giveozarks.org through the day.
What is a “unique” donor?
Each individual donor counts once during each hour for any individual agency. A donor can count for more than one agency if he or she makes gifts to more than one agency during a given hour.
When will we know the final tally?
The website will show a real-time tally throughout the day for overall donations and individual agency donations. At the end of the 24-hour period, the preliminary tally will be available on the homepage. Agencies have until 5 p.m., Thursday, May 7, to deliver any cash or checks collected during Give Ozarks day. Those will be added to the preliminary tally and the final prizes for cumulative dollars raised and numbers of donors will be awarded. We anticipate having the FINAL tally available by 5 p.m., Friday, May 8.
About the CFO:
The CFO is joined by BKD Wealth Advisors as the presenting sponsors. The platinum sponsors include The Musgrave Foundation, The Commerce Trust Co./Coover Charitable Foundation and Ron and Janice Penney along with a host of Gold, Silver and Bronze sponsors detailed at https://giveozarks.org/sponsors. Media partners include KY3, 105.9 KGBX, the News-Leader, and Ozarks Public Broadcasting.
The CFO is a regional public charitable foundation, founded in 1973, which includes 46 affiliate foundations and nearly 600 nonprofit partners and schools.