Seattle Foundation's GiveBIG Delivers a Lift for Many Local Nonprofits

SEATTLE, May 5, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Seattle Foundation's GiveBIG – the annual one-day giving event extended an extra day this year due to a technology disruption which impacted giving events here and across the country – rebounded to achieve record-setting results.

Based on preliminary figures, GiveBIG generated a record $21 million in contributions to nonprofits, as compared to $16.2 million in 2015. This represents a 30-percent year-over-year increase. Online contributions via the GiveBIG website generated more than $16.3 million while Seattle Foundation's stretch pool, donor and employer matches generated nearly $4.7 million.

"The community did it. The 1,600 amazing nonprofits and the nearly 50,000 donors have rallied together, overcame challenges and persevered," said Tony Mestres, President and CEO of Seattle Foundation.  "The generous spirit of our community prevailed and a large number of our nonprofit partners were able to achieve their fundraising goals, but certainly not all." 

Given the technology challenges, some nonprofits elected to gather donations through their own websites rather than the GiveBIG site. As a result, Seattle Foundation elected this year to include any credit card donations made on May 3-4 in the calculation of the stretch pool distribution. Seattle Foundation will gather these donation totals beginning next week and include them in final GiveBIG reporting.

One of the appealing aspects of GiveBIG to both donors and nonprofits is that every online donation made during GiveBIG grew in size in one or more ways:  1)  through the Foundation's stretch pool which is distributed based on the percentage of donations the nonprofit receives of the event's total online donations; 2) through Golden Ticket random drawings providing up to an additional $1,000; and 3) through matching funds from businesses and individuals to nonprofits — providing the opportunity to potentially double a donation's value.

"We are not only humbled by the community's generosity to our nonprofits, but also by our amazing partners and sponsors that make GiveBIG possible," Mestres added.

Support for the 2016 GiveBIG stretch pool is provided by Seattle Foundation, its community philanthropists, as well as GiveBIG sponsors and partners. This year GiveBIG is presented by Seattle Foundation with support of our presenting partners, KING 5, Seattle Sounders FC, The Seattle Times, The Ballmer Group Philanthropy and Wyncote Foundation NW.

Lead supporters include Amazon, BECU, Boeing, Medina Foundation, Starbucks, SOULCRAFT ALLSTARS, Tableau Foundation, The Aven Foundation and Wells Fargo.

About Seattle Foundation

Seattle Foundation ignites powerful, rewarding philanthropy to make Greater Seattle a stronger, more vibrant community for all. Focused on creating equity and opportunity, our goal as a community foundation is to simplify giving and strengthen the impact of philanthropy for the more than 1,200 individuals, families, businesses and nonprofits we serve.  We provide deep community insights, powerful civic leadership, effective philanthropic advising and judicious stewardship of assets in support of our mission.  In addition, Seattle Foundation annually presents GiveBIG, a 24-hour online giving event to raise funds for area nonprofit organizations.  Learn more at: www.seattlefoundation.org.

SOURCE Seattle Foundation

Related Links

http://www.seattlefoundation.org