East Bay Community Foundation's Giving Spree Raises $200,000

OAKLAND, Calif., May 7, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- The East Bay Community Foundation's one-day giving spree yesterday raised $200,669 in its drive to attract donations to nearly 150 nonprofit organizations doing great work in Alameda and Contra Costa counties. The event was part of a nationwide effort that may be one of the largest online fundraising events in history.

Called "East Bay Gives," the event was an innovative experiment in crowd funding, and was part of a nationwide campaign that raised more than $51 million for worthy causes.    

"We deeply appreciate the generosity of the 864 donors who made 883 gifts to causes in the East Bay, thus making this event a resounding success for so many worthy needs in Alameda and Contra Costa counties," said Janet Y. Spears, the Foundation's interim President & Chief Executive Officer. "We're pleased we were able to lead an effort that attracted donors to join together in the Power of Many in order to improve lives and communities throughout the East Bay."

The donations were made through the East Bay Gives website from the stroke of midnight on May 5 through the stroke of midnight on May 6.

"Once again, we have proof that you don't have to be wealthy to give back and have an impact," Spears added. "What we see here in these results is the power of many people making many small donations to worthy causes."      

The nationwide effort, called "Give Local America," marked the centennial anniversary of community foundations in America, as well as the 85^th anniversary of the East Bay Community Foundation.

The first community foundation in America was established in Cleveland in 1914.  There are now more than 700 community foundations across the U.S.  The East Bay Community Foundation, one of the oldest charitable institutions in northern California, and one of largest sources of philanthropic support for the East Bay, was established in 1928.

East Bay Community Foundation (www.ebcf.org) transforms lives by harnessing financial capital, leadership and philanthropic expertise through the power of many: partnerships with individual donors, business, government, and private foundations.  We are especially dedicated to advancing economic opportunity for those in need and the education that leads to it.  As a leading resource on charitable giving and community needs, we manage more than 500 charitable funds and endowments.     

SOURCE East Bay Community Foundation

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