The Seattle Foundation asks King Co. residents to "GiveBIG" to nonprofits on May 15th "Everyday hero" campaign aims to attract new donors

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May 14, 2013, 01:00 ET

SEATTLE, May 14, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Seattle Foundation's "GiveBIG" campaign returns Wednesday, May 15, with area nonprofit organizations, corporate sponsors and local philanthropists aiming to motivate even more donors to step up and support their favorite causes.

During this one-day, online event, residents of King County make donations to any of more than 1,400 local nonprofits through www.seattlefoundation.org -- and a share of every contribution is "stretched" with funds provided by The Seattle Foundation, area companies and philanthropists. The amount of a nonprofit organization's share of the stretch pool is based on the percentage of donations the nonprofit receives of the total online contributions made through www.seattlefoundation.org on May 15.

In 2012, GiveBIG raised $7.4 million in individual gifts that were "stretched" further with the $800,000 stretch pool. The gifts ranged from $5 to $80,000 during the 24-hour day of giving. In GiveBIG 2012, the "stretch" added approximately $10 to every $100 donation.

The event, presented by The Seattle Foundation, is fueled by nonprofit organizations that mobilize their supporters, primarily through social media and online communications, to "give big" through an online donation. It is supported by an advertising campaign running online, in print, broadcast, mobile and at the Sounders FC match held on May 11.

"GiveBIG celebrates the everyday heroes who give what they can – gifts large and small – to support effective nonprofits working to strengthen community life," said Norman B. Rice, president and CEO of The Seattle Foundation. "It unleashes the collective power of people to give, united in the goal of building a healthy community here in King County."

GiveBIG will be held from 12:01 a.m. until midnight on Wednesday, May 15. Credit card donations made during this time will be counted as GiveBIG donations and used to calculate distribution of the stretch pool. The Seattle Foundation will "stretch" all donations up to $25,000 per donor, per organization. Donations can be made via smart phone on The Seattle Foundation's mobile site, m.seattlefoundation.org.

GiveBIG participants can make contributions through The Seattle Foundation's online Giving Center, which includes information about more than 1,400 nonprofit organizations working in a broad range of areas: Arts & Culture, Basic Needs, Economy, Education, Environment, Health & Wellness, and Neighborhoods & Communities. The Seattle Foundation supports global giving through its partnership with Seattle International Foundation and other globally focused organizations.

Back again for GiveBIG 2013 are the "Golden Tickets," which provide nonprofit organizations the opportunity to receive an additional $1,000 if one of their donations is selected during random drawings. In addition, local philanthropists working with The Seattle Foundation have committed nearly $600,000 in challenge grants to individual nonprofit organizations which are using these grants to motivate their supporters to participate in "GiveBIG."

Backed by local heroes Seattle Sounders FC, GiveBIG is presented by The Seattle Foundation and Presenting Partners Bezos Family Foundation, Microsoft, Seattle International Foundation and Wyncote Foundation NW. Seattle Sounders FC is supporting GiveBIG communications and outreach, including a game-day celebration during the Seattle Sounders FC vs. FC Dallas match on the evening of May 18 at Century Link Field. KING5 Television, Mass Relevance, Millennial Media, The Seattle Times Company and Trifilms are all GiveBIG media partners.

The $800,000 stretch pool includes $250,000 from The Seattle Foundation and $200,000 from our Presenting Partners. Additional funds were provided by Lead Sponsors Aven Foundation, BECU, The Boeing Company, Sonya & Tom Campion, Medina Foundation, Anne Y. Petter Family, Elizabeth Rudolf and Starbucks. GiveBIG supporters are Alaska Airlines, John Bates & Carolyn Corvi, Colonial Consulting, The Hayes Family, KPMG, Ann Ramsay-Jenkins, Constance & Norman Rice, Safeco Insurance, Maggie & Doug Walker and Bob & Juanita Watt.

Additional support is provided by Clark Nuber P.S., Deloitte, inome (formerly Intellius), K&L Gates, Marrella Fund, Nova Fisheries, Pacific Continental Bank, Linda Park, Judy Pigott, Pugh Capital, Pyramid Communications, Russell Investments, Virginia Mason Medical Center, The Whitsitt Family and H.S. Wright & Kate Janeway.

Eight organizations are sponsoring targeted areas of community need aligned with their philanthropic priorities: Seattle International Foundation/Global Giving; Bezos Family Foundation /Education; Microsoft/Education; Starbucks/Neighborhoods & Communities; Medina Foundation/Basic Needs; Aven Foundation/Basic Needs; Boeing/Arts & Culture and BECU/Basic Needs.

GiveBIG information and updates are found on http://www.seattlefoundation.org/GiveBIG and The Seattle Foundation's Facebook page or the GiveBIG blog.

The Seattle Foundation's mission is to foster powerful and rewarding philanthropy to make King County a stronger, more vibrant community for all. With nearly $700 million in assets, our goal as a community foundation is to simplify giving and strengthen the impact of philanthropy for the more than 1,200 individuals, families and businesses we serve. The Seattle Foundation awards more than $60 million in grants each year and offers an online Giving Center at www.seattlefoundation.org to provide current information on community issues and nonprofit organizations working to build a healthy community.

Online: www.seattlefoundation.org

On Facebook: www.facebook.com/TheSeattleFoundation

SOURCE The Seattle Foundation