What’s the best way to raise millions of dollars for nonprofits in Southeast Louisiana? Host a 24-hour, online giving event. Organized by the Greater New Orleans Foundation, the third annual GiveNOLA Day kicked off at midnight to ignite the giving community. Running all day Tuesday May 3rd, the event allows people everywhere to help deserving non-profits gain funds to do great work.
Over 700 non-profits from the multi-parish region are participating in GiveNOLA Day this year. 501 and of those are located in Orleans Parish.
The goal for GiveNOLA Day 2016 is currently set at $4.5 million. As of 9:30 am on Tuesday morning, $1,316,252 had been raised.
All donations made through the GiveNOLA website go directly to participating nonprofits working on a broad range of issues: arts & culture, animals, community improvement, education, environment, health, housing, human services, public safety & crime, and youth development.
One of those nonprofits, Operation Spark, is a changing the lives of at-risk youth by rapidly preparing them for high wage employment in the software industry. The organization had a major year, receiving national exposure. Their student received the White House’s Champion of Change award and other students have been invited to attended events at the White House three times.
The New Orleans BioInnovation Center, a business incubator focused on biotech startups, is also featured on the GiveNOLA website today. The nonprofit is dedicated to fostering entrepreneurship and supporting Louisiana innovators as they develop life-saving new technologies.
Another tech-related nonprofit, Core Element, promotes quality teaming is STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math). The organization recently partnered with the New Orleans Zephyrs baseball team to host a hands-on, daylong event featuring STEM exploration stations, activities, and experiments.
GiveNOLA Day is tied to a national event called Give Local America where community foundations across America ask their communities to give back on the same day.
Last year, GiveNOLA Day raised $4 million for the 571 participating nonprofits from 34,000 donations.
To view the full list of participating nonprofits, visit givenola.org.