By now you’ve seen the commercials, or Facebook status updates from area nonprofits, about Alabama Gives Day on February 2. But you may be wondering what it is. Alabama Gives Day is a day when Alabamians are asked to come together for 24 hours of giving with a collective goal of raising a record amount of money for hundreds of participating nonprofits statewide.
Allison Dillon-Jauken, executive director of The Arts Council, really explains the importance of Alabama Gives Day. She says
“The Alabama Gives Day is an exciting opportunity to both raise funds for Alabama nonprofits and draw attention to the tremendous impact the nonprofit sector has in our state. From nonprofit arts organizations to social service groups and nonprofit schools to animal care groups, nonprofits are making our community better each day by improving our quality of life and providing services that the public sector cannot take on. Nonprofits, though, have also been challenged during this economic downturn and the Alabama Gives Day is a great opportunity for both new and continuing donors to easily make gifts of any size to nonprofit groups in their community.”
Indeed, many area nonprofits already have their Alabama Gives Day pages set up, from the Huntsville Botanical Gardens and National Children’s Advocacy Center to The Arts Council, Dixie Derby Girls, AIDS Action Coalition and HudsonAlpha Institute.
Alabama Gives Day has made it very easy for any Alabama-based 501(c)(3) organization to participate. There are few exclusions, it’s free, and within a day or two the nonprofit is ready to go. If you are involved in a nonprofit, there’s still time to get set up before February 2.
The potential for Alabama Gives Day is huge. Colorado Gives raised $12 million and Minnesota’s Give to the Max raised $13.4 million. The minimum donation is set at $10, but there is no maximum limit. If Alabama really can come together and harness the power of giving, who knows how much money this state can raise during this campaign.
Alabama Gives Day is coordinated by the Alabama Association of Nonprofits, the Alabama Broadcasters Association and the Razoo Foundation. Razoo is the backbone and the funnel through which online donations flow for Alabama Gives Day. To be clear, Razoo retains 2.9% of each nonprofits total for its expenses, which includes credit card transaction fees. The Alabama Association of Nonprofits also retains 4% of the contributions received during the 24-hour event to help cover the statewide event costs. That’s the business end of this campaign, so just know that not all of the donation goes directly to the nonprofits. All nonprofits do agree to these fees when they sign up to participate and this information is easily accessible on the Alabama Gives Day website.
If, for only one day, we can encourage philanthropy and increase awareness of nonprofit organizations, Alabama Gives Day will be a success. But please consider giving both your money and your time to nonprofits all throughout the year. After all, they provide much of what makes our community special.
Alabama Gives Day is February 2, 2012. For more information, visit alabamagivesday.org. Visit Our Valley Events’ Facebook Page for a list of local nonprofits you can support on February 2nd.
Amy Jones has been a marketing professional in Huntsville for 20 years, with experience in all aspects of marketing, pr, media relations, event management, digital content, and design. Amy is the proud and busy momma of two boys, who keep things loud and fun. For fun she skateboards, rides her scooter, and kayaks (though sadly not at the same time!).
