The Giving Challenge 2016 is right around the corner and more than 450 local organizations that serve Sarasota, Manatee, Charlotte and Desoto counties will be hoping to raise some much needed funds during the 24-hour campaign.
Last year’s event set a new record with more than $7 million raised!
It’s really no surprise, we are a very philanthropic and charitable community after all. Many folks have their favorite nonprofits that they make sure to help out throughout the year and during this campaign specifically.
Some of the nonprofits also end up with a few extra thousand dollars by hitting certain goals or winning challenges – the first 50 to get 50 donors, the best use of social media, the best Giving Challenge community event, the best Giving Challenge video.
This year a new opportunity to make some extra cash was added thanks to a partnership between Manatee Community Foundation and the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation. The challenge is called the Manatee Millennial Challenge and it “encourages nonprofits to building philanthropic leadership among their millennial staff, volunteers and donors through their engagement in the Giving Challenge.”
Susie Bowie, executive director of Manatee Community Foundation, is one of the people who spearheaded the idea to create the challenge and give millennials a chance to shine during the Giving Challenge.
When Bowie started at Manatee Community Foundation in April of this year, she noticed immediately how engaged the millennials are in the community. Groups like Realize Bradenton and the Millennial Movement interested Bowie and she wanted to capitalize on the strength of the millennial scene in Bradenton and see more millennials get a chance to take on leadership roles in the nonprofit world.
“It gives the organizations the opportunity to hand over a project to a millennial leader so they can use their networks, social media and attract their peers to get involved in these organizations.”
There were 40 organizations that said that they were interested in pursuing this challenge. Many even attended a panel discussion in August led by Bowie’s donor coordinator, Calaina Goodyear. Goodyear is a millennial herself and works at Manatee Community Foundation and is the current president of the Junior League in Manatee County. Goodyear wanted to help put a spotlight on millennials who are engaged in the community and help nonprofits understand the untapped potential they have with their millennial employees, volunteers and donors. She also wanted to help nonprofits figure out ways to reach out to a generation they may not be connecting with yet.
“I think sometimes millennials get a bad rap… the media says that we are lazy and that we are stuck to our smartphones. I think this challenge grant really can show the movers and shakers who will be our next leaders in our community.”
Both Bowie and Goodyear realize that many millennials do not have the deep pockets that many nonprofit donors have, but that does not mean that millennials are not vital to these organizations. Many millennials give a lot by giving their time and by using their social media skills to spread the word about nonprofits they care about.
“We are hoping this will open up the conversation to consider us (millennials) for leadership opportunities and be taken seriously.”
If you are curious about the nonprofits that are going for the challenge grant, look for the hashtag #WeGiveToo16. The hashtag was created specifically by millennials to help spread the word that millennials do care about nonprofits and giving back to the community.