San Antonio ranks in Top 10 in country during 24-hour giving event
San Antonio – The people of the Alamo City helped make the The Big Give S.A. a huge success in its inaugural year by raising a total of $2,017,441.50 during 24 hours on Tuesday.
The tally effectively doubled the original goal of $1 million for 467 nonprofit organizations registered in the event. The total was made possible through 21,260 individual donations spread out among the nonprofits.
“We couldn’t have asked for a better first year than this,” said Scott McAninch, executive director of the San Antonio Nonprofit Council. “I want to thank all the people who made this day impactful by showing that we can all make a difference by giving to the organizations that make our community a better place.”
Through the Big Give S.A., San Antonio ranked in the top 10 out of more than 100 cities participating in first Give Local America 24-hour giving event Tuesday. Nationwide, more 7,700 nonprofits raised more than $51 million through 309,000 gifts.
Kate Edwards, spokeswoman for the San Antonio Area Foundation, was pleased to report that all local participating nonprofits received a donation, with 60 percent getting $1,000 or more. Top 10 leaderboard standouts include:
Most Number of Individual Gifts – San Antonio Pets Alive (579), Animal Defense League of Texas (564), Brighton Center (335), San Antonio Feral Cat Coalition (334), San Antonio Humane Society (332), San Antonio Food Bank (318), Texas Public Radio (297), Children’s Association for Maximum Potential (294), Planned Parenthood South Texas (285), Kinetic Kids, Inc. (261).
Most Gifts by Dollar Amount – SAMMinistries ($41,448), St. Anthony Catholic Elementary School ($33,250), I Care San Antonio ($32,860), KIPP San Antonio Inc. ($29,450), Animal Defense League of Texas ($24,706), San Antonio Food Bank ($23,874), Kinetic Kids, Inc. ($22,485), Guadalupe Cultural Arts Center ($22,435), Children’s Association for Maximum Potential ($21,275), and San Antonio Pets Alive! ($21,183).
The San Antonio Nonprofit Council, the San Antonio Area Foundation, and Genevieve and Ward Orsinger Foundation, among others, hosted The Big Give S.A. Prior to Tuesday’s launch, organizers offered social media and fundraising training. Many nonprofits found clever ways to leverage social media to engage their fans and get their messages out to a wider audience.
The Big Give S.A. set a $10 minimum donation to make giving accessible to all income levels.
“It was truly rewarding to see so many people participate in charitable giving for the very first time,” said Linda McDavitt, spokeswoman for the Genevieve and Ward Orsinger Foundation. To learn more about The Big Give S.A., visit www.thebiggivesa.org.
The San Antonio Nonprofit Council is comprised of professionals, business leaders and Executive Directors/CEOs of nonprofit organizations in San Antonio, Bexar and surrounding counties who have a mission to form one strong collective voice for those they serve. The Council strives to accomplish this mission through advocacy, training, resource sharing, networking and the strength and extensive knowledge of the organization’s combined membership. For more information, visit www.sancouncil.org.
About the San Antonio Area Foundation
The San Antonio Area Foundation, celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2014 makes grants from funds established by individuals, families, businesses or other entities to support charitable causes. The Area Foundation manages more than $250 million in assets and has distributed more than $230 million for scholarships and grants to educate youth, preserve the environment, protect animals, fund research and provide services that enhance the quality of life in our region.