SEATTLE, May 5, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Seattle Foundation's "GiveBIG" campaign returns Tuesday, May 6, with area nonprofit organizations, corporate sponsors and local philanthropists aiming to motivate people to step up and support their favorite causes.
During this one-day, online event, residents of King County make donations to any of more than 1,600 nonprofits through www.seattlefoundation.org - and a share of every contribution is "stretched" with funds provided by The Seattle Foundation, area companies and philanthropists. The amount of a nonprofit organization's share of the stretch pool is based on the percentage of donations the nonprofit receives of the total online contributions made through www.seattlefoundation.org on May 6.
In 2013, GiveBIG raised $11.1 million in online gifts that were "stretched" further with the $1 million stretch pool. The gifts ranged from $5 to $20,000 during the 24-hour day of giving. In GiveBIG 2013, the "stretch" added approximately $10 to every $100 donation.
In addition to online gifts and the stretch pool, people that manage their philanthropy through The Seattle Foundation have already committed nearly $600,000 in "challenge grants" that nonprofit organizations will use to motivate their supporters to donate on GiveBIG day.
The event is fueled by nonprofit organizations that mobilize their supporters, primarily through social media and online communications, to "give big" through an online donation. It is supported by an advertising campaign running online, in print, broadcast, mobile and at the Seattle Sounders FC match held on May 3.
"Just as everyone can be a hero, everyone can be a philanthropist," said Norman B. Rice, president and CEO of The Seattle Foundation. "GiveBIG celebrates philanthropy at all levels and releases the power of people to give, united in the goal of building a healthy community here in King County."
GiveBIG will be held from 12:01 a.m. until 11:59 p.m. on Tuesday, May 6. Credit card donations made during this time will be counted as GiveBIG donations and used to calculate distribution of the stretch pool. The Seattle Foundation will "stretch" all donations up to $5,000 per donor, per organization.
Similar, one-day online giving campaigns are being held throughout the nation on May 6, including the "Kitsap Great Give" in Kitsap County.
GiveBIG participants can make contributions through The Seattle Foundation's online Giving Center, which includes information about 1,600 nonprofit organizations working in a broad range of areas: Arts & Culture, Basic Needs, Economy, Education, Environment, Health & Wellness, and Neighborhoods & Communities. Back again for GiveBIG 2014 are the "Golden Tickets," which provide nonprofit organizations the opportunity to receive an additional $1,000 or a roundtrip airline ticket donated by Alaska Airlines if one of their donations is selected during random drawings. The individuals who make these donations also benefit, receiving a $100 gift card from either Starbucks or Taco Time Northwest.
GiveBIG is presented by The Seattle Foundation with support from Presenting Partners KING 5 Television, Microsoft, Seattle Sounders FC and Wyncote Foundation NW. The $1 million stretch pool includes $500,000 from The Seattle Foundation and contributions from many companies and local philanthropists, including Presenting Partners Microsoft and Wyncote Foundation NW.
Lead sponsors are Aven Foundation, BECU, Bezos Family Foundation, Boeing, Sonya & Tom Campion, Medina Foundation, Millennial Media, The Anne Y. Petter Family, The Seattle Times, Starbucks, Tableau Foundation, Tagboard and Trifilm. Additional support is provided by Alaska Airlines, Jon Bates & Carolyn Corvi, The Sheri & Les Biller Family Foundation, Colonial Consulting, The Hayes Family, KPMG, Pyramid Communications, Ann Ramsay-Jenkins, Constance & Norman Rice, Safeco Insurance and Maggie & Doug Walker.
Also contributing are Biking Billboards, Clark Nuber P.S., Davis Wright Tremaine, Deloitte, Dorsey & Whitney, Hellam Varon, K&L Gates, Marrella Fund, Nova Fisheries, Linda Park, Judy Pigott, Point B, Inc., Russell Investments, Brad Smith & Kathy Surace-Smith, Virginia Mason Medical Center, The Whitsitt Family, and H.S. Wright III & Kate Janeway.
Eight organizations are sponsoring targeted areas of community need aligned with their philanthropic priorities: Aven Foundation/Basic Needs; BECU/Basic Needs/; Bezos Family Foundation/Education; The Boeing Company/Arts& Culture; Medina Foundation/Basic Needs; Microsoft/Education; Starbucks/Neighborhoods & Communities and Tableau Foundation/Global Giving.
GiveBIG information and updates are found on www.seattlefoundation.org/GiveBIG and The Seattle Foundation's Facebook page and Twitter feed.
The Seattle Foundation's mission is to foster powerful and rewarding philanthropy to make King County a stronger, more vibrant community for all. With nearly $800 million in assets, our goal as a community foundation is to simplify giving and strengthen the impact of philanthropy for the more than 1,200 individuals, families and businesses we serve. The Seattle Foundation awards more than $60 million in grants each year and offers an online Giving Center at www.seattlefoundation.orgto provide current information on community issues and nonprofit organizations working to build a healthy community.
Online: www.seattlefoundation.org
On Facebook: www.facebook.com/TheSeattleFoundation
On Twitter: www.twitter.com/TheSeattleFdn
On Tagboard: www.tagboard.com/givebig
Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20140505/84188
SOURCE The Seattle Foundation
