We’ve got exciting news! Not only is nonprofit registration open for next year’s Midlands Gives 18-hour online giving day challenge — set for May 5, 2020 — but also the Midlands Gives website is now able to accept donations year-round for hundreds of local charities.

The new, year-round platform will amplify and extend the reach of Midlands Gives and allow nonprofits to connect with donors throughout the entire year. The annual giving day will continue to be a community-wide celebration of everyday philanthropy, with prizes, matching funds, and more.

Midlands Gives brings the region together as one community, raising money and awareness for local nonprofits to help amplify their impact, administer vital public services, and boost the quality of life in the Midlands. Since its inception in 2014, Midlands Gives has raised more than $9.3 million for hundreds of local nonprofits. In 2019, Midlands Gives raised more than $2 million for 411 organizations via 14,323 individual donations.

“Midlands Gives has been a major initiative of the Community Foundation for seven years, and we are excited to see it grow with the addition of the year-round platform,” notes JoAnn Turnquist, President and CEO of Central Carolina Community Foundation. “We hope that the new platform becomes a resource for the community to connect with local nonprofits and creates additional opportunities for philanthropy to flourish.”

The seventh annual 18-hour online giving day event, still the central focus of Midlands Gives, will return on Tuesday, May 5 and run from 6 a.m. to midnight. Nonprofits can register for Midlands Gives online through Tuesday, November 19.

Over the years, more community members have begun using the Midlands Gives website as a resource throughout the year to discover nonprofits. The addition of the year-round platform will make it easier for donors to find and connect with local nonprofits and also provide community members with the opportunity to give immediately or set up recurring donations.

New Giving eCards, Recurring Gifts, and Year-Round Champion Pages

New this year, the public can purchase Giving eCards to share with family and friends. Giving eCards can be purchased online throughout the year and are redeemable for a donation to the recipient’s nonprofit of choice at MidlandsGives.org. The year-round platform will also include features such as recurring gifts and Champion Pages. Recurring gifts will allow donors to automatically give to a selected nonprofit monthly, while Champion Pages will be open year-round, allowing donors and nonprofits to fundraise for specific events or projects.

Nonprofits can Register Now for Midlands Gives and the New Year-Round Platform

Registration for returning nonprofits is as easy as logging into their existing profile and “opting in” to the year-round platform — no training is required. When nonprofits register for Midlands Gives they will register for both the year-round platform and the annual giving day.

Nonprofits that are new to Midlands Gives must fill out the online application and attend one mandatory “Midlands Gives 101” training session, which will provide participants the tools and resources to meet their giving day goals.

Nonprofits that register by October 31st will be considered part of the “Early Bird Club” and will be eligible for a special prize opportunity, priority consideration for marketing opportunities, and a consultation with a Foundation staff member.

Approved nonprofit profiles will remain active on the website and will be eligible to receive donations through the following year’s registration deadline. As always, after a 2.1% credit card fee and 2.8% technology fee from CiviCore, 100% of each contribution goes to the donor’s selected nonprofit, even with the addition of the year-round platform.

The new year-round platform is now live; nonprofits who participated in Midlands Gives last year can receive donations through November 19. Eligibility requirements and registration information can be found at http://www.MidlandsGives.org.

Make an Impact: Join us as a Corporate Philanthropy Champion

Corporate and community partners are a foundational aspect of Midlands Gives. Through matching gifts, prizes, bonus pools, and gift amplifiers, Corporate Philanthropy Champions throughout the region come together to magnify community giving. With a passion to serve local organizations and groups here in the Midlands, partners provide crucial support and awareness to Midlands Gives, inspiring the region to become “everyday philanthropists.” To become a Corporate Philanthropy Champion, contact the Foundation at 803-254-5601.

For more information about Midlands Gives, nonprofits, partners, and community members can visit www.MidlandsGives.org, call 803-254-5601 or follow #MidlandsGives on Twitter.

Nonprofit organizations can register for the Midlands Gives year-round platform and the annual giving day online through Tuesday, November 19. Midlands Gives annual giving day will be held Tuesday, May 5, 2020.