BELLEFONTE — Over the past four years, the 36-hour online fundraising event known as Centre Gives has raised more than $3 million for not-for-profit agencies and organizations across Centre County.
This year, with a record number of participating organizations, those overseeing the event feel 2016 will see the most funds raised to date.
“When we first started this project four years ago, we had 74 groups participate,” Molly Kunkel, executive director of Centre Foundation, told the Centre County board of commissioners on April 19. “This year, we have 124 different organizations participating. I’m sure it will be our best year yet.”
Beginning at 6 a.m. on Tuesday, May 3, and continuing until 6 p.m. Wednesday, May 4, residents can log onto the Centre Gives web site at www.centregives.org and make tax-free, monetary donations to the organizations of their choosing. Each donation will also qualify the receiving organizations a larger share of a $100,000 stretch pool. The minimum donation is $25.
According to Kunkel, every gift made at CentreGives.org will go directly to the dozens of local nonprofit organizations. Gifts made during this time will also help participating organizations qualify for additional prize money.
“Although the event doesn’t go live until May 3, the web site is up and running,” said Kunkel. “Residents can log in anytime and look and see the list of all the organizations participating.”
She said residents shouldn’t just log in, make a donation and forget about it.
“You don’t want to just log in once and not log in again,” she said. “The website will keep track of all donations coming in in real time, so it will be fun to continue visiting the site to see who tops the leader board as far as donations are concerned.”
Commissioner Mark Higgins applauded the efforts of the Centre Foundation.
“This is a wonderful fundraising program that has really proved its worth,” he said.
