Photo: Nonprofits gather to cheer for philanthropy at Midlands Gives 2016.

On Tuesday, May 7, Central Carolina Community Foundation will connect “everyday philanthropists” with more than 400 local nonprofits during Midlands Gives – the 18-hour local online giving challenge. Midlands Gives is hosted by Central Carolina Community Foundation, the Midlands’ center for philanthropy, and runs from 6 a.m. until midnight, a condensed time period from the former 24-hour schedule. Community members can donate to participating nonprofits with contributions of $20 or more online at http://www.midlandsgives.org/.

Since its start in 2014, Midlands Gives has raised more than $7.25 million for local nonprofits. In 2018, the fifth anniversary of Midlands Gives, our community raised more than $1.75 million for 372 organizations via 14,665 individual donations, exceeding all prior year records.

“Midlands Gives celebrates our community’s generosity,” states JoAnn Turnquist, president and CEO of Central Carolina Community Foundation. “With record-breaking nonprofit participation, it’s more important than ever for our region to come together to support these organizations. On May 7th, we have the opportunity to top the charts again and provide much-needed funding to hundreds of terrific nonprofits.”

With donations starting at $20 and an easy-to-use online platform, the giving process is simplified and donors are connected to new philanthropic causes. In 2018, more than 39 percent of donors gave to a nonprofit they had never given to before.

Record-Breaking Participation in 2019

More than 400 nonprofits across the 11 Midlands counties served by the Foundation are registered for the event – setting a record for the largest number of participating nonprofits in Midlands Gives' history. Many nonprofits rely on Midlands Gives to raise much-needed funds to increase their impact, administer vital public services, and boost the quality of life in the community. With record-breaking nonprofit participation, it’s more important than ever for our region to come together to support these organizations during Midlands Gives.

Midlands Gives Headquarters Returns to Segra Park at BullStreet

Central Carolina Community Foundation moved to the First Base Building in the BullStreet District in January 2019. Their new next-door neighbor, Segra Park (formerly Spirit Communications Park), will serve as the headquarters and central location for Midlands Gives 2019. (The ballpark’s concourse served as headquarters for the event in 2016.) While all giving takes place online, nonprofits and community members are encouraged to come to Segra Park on Tuesday, May 7, 2019 to cheer for their favorite charities on live television. Local stations will be on-air during early morning, midday, and evening broadcasts.

Aiming for Philanthropy: The Nephron Pitching Contest

Midland’s mayors and council chairs will again compete for their favorite causes in a pitching contest sponsored by Nephron Pharmaceuticals. Beginning at 4:45 p.m., local leaders will compete for an array of $250 gifts that will be donated to the nonprofits they select. 

More than $100,000 in Prize Incentives

Corporate Philanthropy Champions — including Dominion Energy, Aflac, Nephron Pharmaceuticals Corporation, BB&T, BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina, Southeastern Freight Lines, and more—are providing financial incentives, matching gifts and prizes for nonprofits on May 7. The impact of individuals’ contributions of $20 or more will be amplified through these sponsored prize incentives.The full list of prizes can be found at https://www.midlandsgives.org/prizes.

Simple, Mobile-Friendly Online Giving

Midlands Gives will again use CiviCore as its online platform. Easy to use on mobile devices, the website makes giving as convenient as online shopping. As always, after a 2.1 percent credit card fee and 2.8 percent technology fee from CiviCore, 100 percent of each contribution goes to the donor’s selected nonprofit. Donors also have the option to cover the fees for their gifts. 71 percent of donors covered their gifts’ fees in 2018.

Individuals and families can navigate Midlands Gives’ user-friendly website to filter nonprofits through categories, search by keyword, and discover new recommendations. With hundreds of nonprofits to choose from, the online platform makes giving simple. Donors can add multiple organizations to a “shopping cart” with donation sizes of their choice.

Do More than Donate with Champion Pages

Individuals can share their philanthropic passions through Champion Pages, an online tool for users to create personal campaigns to raise money for local nonprofits. In a few easy steps, individuals select a nonprofit and a fundraising goal, and they can customize their page with images or personal stories. Users are encouraged to share their Champion Page on their social networks and send directly to friends and family on May 7, Midlands Gives day. Create a Champion Page and find more information at http://www.midlandsgives.org/champion.

Advance, Scheduled Giving Available Starting April 23, 2019

Beginning April 23, Central Carolina Community Foundation will accept scheduled donations for Midlands Gives. Everyday philanthropists can add their donations to local nonprofits to their shopping cart at http://www.midlandsgives.org/. (Scheduled gifts will not count toward the prizes available for nonprofits on May 7.) Scheduled gifts will be processed beginning at 6:00 a.m. on May 7.

Midlands Gives will take place Tuesday, May 7, 2019, 6:00 a.m. – 11:59:59 p.m. With a record-breaking number of participating nonprofits and a minimum donation of $20, Midlands Gives makes it easy for everyone to become a philanthropist. Explore participating nonprofits, create a Champion Page and find more information online at http://www.midlandsgives.org/.