Valley residents increase donations to Great Give 2015

By Jean Falbo-Sosnovich
Register Correspondent

Valley residents generously opened their wallets during the Valley Community Foundation’s recent Great Give 2015 event, with donations up 51 percent over last year.

Dozens of local nonprofit organizations and groups received a total of $1.29 million in donations to the overall Great Give 2015, with nearly $230,000 in Valley-related giving, during the 36-hour event.

“We couldn’t be more thrilled at the response of Valley residents and workers who came out in strong support of local nonprofits during the Great Give 2015,” said VCF President and CEO Sharon Closius. “A fifty-one percent increase over last year in the number of gifts underscores that the Valley is a philanthropic region and its people know the importance of giving locally in a global world where so many charitable options abound. Organizations were particularly creative this year in their outreach, which included a 36-hour live webcast hosted by the Valley Independent Sentinel and a collaborative Valley Great Give video that is available on the VCF website.”

Overall, a 43 percent increase in giving from Valley residents and employees, combined with matching grants and prizes, resulted in nearly the $230,000 in Valley-related giving, according to VCF officials.

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