Foundation aims to host largest giving day in local history

BOZEMAN AREA COMMUNITY FOUNDATION

BOZEMAN – On May 3, community members from around Gallatin County will come together in what could be the largest day of giving in the community’s history.

In just 24 hours during Give Big Gallatin Valley Day, the Bozeman Area Community Foundation hopes to raise $300,000 for 133 participating nonprofits from Bozeman, Belgrade, Big Sky, Three Forks and Gallatin Gateway.

Last year, the foundation’s $100,000 goal was more than doubled during the area’s first Give Big event. More than 1,600 donors rallied to contribute $237,615 to 133 local nonprofits.

“With a minimum gift of $10 during Give Big Gallatin Valley on May 3, anyone can be a philanthropist for causes they care about in our community,” said Bozeman Area Community Foundation Executive Director Bridget Wilkinson. “The goal is simple – inspire neighbors to come together, show their pride in their communities, and contribute to support the life-changing work of local nonprofit organizations.”

Give Big Gallatin Valley is a 24-hour online and live celebration of giving that connects community members with participating nonprofits. Community members have the chance to find and support an organization whose mission aligns with their passion, or to make an amplified impact to an organization they already support with the help of the “Stretch Pool.”

Many local businesses and organizations have contributed funds to this Stretch Pool to incentivize the community to give to important causes. This means every dollar donated on May 3 will get a boost from this added pool of funds.

Donors can also help their favorite nonprofits win cash prizes that will be added to their total at the end of the day.

This year, the nonprofit that has raised at least $5,000 and has the most individual donors will win the foundation’s new Stephen R. Hample Give Big grand prize, which includes $12,500 to start an endowment fund at the Bozeman Area Community Foundation.

Many local businesses are opening their doors to host official donor lounges to make giving easy and fun. Volunteers with iPads will staff these lounges to help community members give easily and securely.

The finale celebration will be from 6-8 p.m. at the Baxter Hotel, where Gallatin County residents are invited to celebrate the area’s nonprofit community and the funds raised during the event

“[Give Big Gallatin Valley] has given us a collective voice that is much louder and effective than our individual one,” said EJ Porth, Gallatin Valley Land Trust’s communications and outreach manager. “As a nonprofit community with our donors by our side, [we] can make a big impact on the place we call home.”

For more information about joining the Bozeman Area Community Foundation in Give Big Gallatin Valley, contact Bridget Wilkinson at (406) 587-6262 or bridget@bozemanfoundation.org, or visit givebiggv.org, which includes a full list of donor lounges.

Established in 1998, the Bozeman Area Community Foundation connects people to the causes that matter most to them. The foundation serves Bozeman, Big Sky, Belgrade, Manhattan, Churchill, Three Forks, and the rural areas in between. Since its inception, it has distributed more than $300,000 in grants to 100-plus local nonprofits. Learn more at bozemanfoundation.org.