The Big Day of Giving on March 2nd was a huge success for the Sacramento region, with an astounding $13.2 million dollars raised for nonprofits. The big winner of this generosity was the Orangevale-Fair Oaks Community Foundation, which hauled in a record-breaking $73,583!
Across the region, more than 24,000 people took the time to contribute to 826 nonprofits in our area. Here at the OVFO Foundation, more than 250 people contributed to our local causes including the Orangevale Fair Oaks Food Bank, the Food Bank Farm, HART (Homeless Assistance Resource Team) and Treat Our Teachers.
“We had four projects. The food bank was one, and that was about supporting families with emergency food. That was the most general. The second was our farm. We did a ‘grow a row’ program. So we said ‘Hey, everybody, donate money. We can grow a row of vegetables for families.’ It was $10 a row and $100 for 10 rows,” said Brad Squires, foundation founder and CEO.
Foundation board member Jenny Roberts got more than 20 donors to do matching funds, meaning they would match the amount of donations that came in. That resulted in $40,000 in matching funds.
“The third program was our HART program, which is the homeless prevention fund. That's for families that are just one bill away from becoming homeless. We have a fund to support them with utilities or rent or to provide support for their bills. The fourth program was Treat Our Teachers, so raising money for teachers in our community to help stock their classroom with supplies for next school year,” Squires said.
A donation of $25 can feed a family of four for a week, while a donation of $100 provides groceries for a family for a month, and $1,000 can serve a family for a year.
The Big Day of Giving is a 24-hour giving challenge that brings the Sacramento region together to support the nonprofits that serve our community. The next BDOG is May 1, 2025.
“People for sure responded. Especially tying in the fact that this is a big milestone. It’s been 12 years that the region foundation has been doing this Big Day of Giving. $100 million. That's a pretty big deal,” said Squires.
Since the Sacramento Community Foundation began The Big Day of Giving in 2013, more than $100 million has been raised for 826 nonprofits in Sacramento, El Dorado, Placer and Yolo counties.
“The real magic is how Big Day of Giving fosters ties between people and place, between neighbors. Creating a more connected region is the true legacy of Big Day of Giving!” said the Sacramento Community Foundation.
Thanks go to Western Health Advantage, which awarded prizes to boost the impact of gifts. BDOG also wants to thank the James and Susan McClatchy Fund, the Keller Family Pathway Fund, Nugget Markets, Golden 1 Credit Union, 34 Strong, SMUD, Boutin Jones, Inc. and Audacy. Many of these partners doubled the funds that were donated.
By Judy Farah
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