River Bend Food Bank, St. Stephen’s Branch, is a lifeline for many people in Dubuque and Jackson counties. By distributing food to 100 partner pantries, it helps combat food insecurity and ensure people can meet their basic needs. To support this work, it takes part in Great Give Day, the largest day of giving in Eastern Iowa. In 2023, St. Stephen’s raised $2,822 in just 24 hours to help stock their partner pantries.
St. Stephen’s is one of 210 nonprofits that participate in Great Give Day each year. Hosted by the Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque, Great Give Day is a 24-hour, online giving event with a simple goal: Inspire people to come together and give as much as possible to support local nonprofits. It is an opportunity for organizations to reach new supporters and compete for bonus prizes from local business sponsors that increase their total gifts.
“Our community shines on Great Give Day,” says Peter Supple, the Foundation’s director of nonprofit relations. “We appreciate everyone who contributes. Every gift makes a difference.”
A Growing Event
This year, Great Give Day will be Wednesday, May 15, and everyone can make gifts at GreatGiveDay.org from midnight through 11:59 PM. As in years past, participating nonprofits direct gifts to their endowment funds or toward specific programs and projects. Throughout the day, organizations compete for over $28,000 in bonus prizes sponsored by local businesses. Prizes are awarded for social media participation as well as accomplishments like “most gifts in an hour.”
Also returning this year is Great Give Day Live, a celebration of nonprofits that will take place from 4:30 to 6:30 PM. May 15 in Dubuque’s Washington Park. Community members are invited to enjoy food trucks and music on their lunch break while also learning about local organizations from representatives who will be in attendance. It’s also a chance for people to learn more about Great Give Day and how they can easily make gifts online throughout the day.
Region-Wide Generosity
The Community Foundation established Great Give Day in 2014 as part of its work to strengthen nonprofits in the Dubuque region. Since then, it has raised more than $3.2 million for local organizations, including more than $468,000 in 2023. This year, the Foundation has set a fundraising goal of $500,000.
For donors, Great Give Day is an opportunity to simplify their giving and make their dollars go further. Dubuque residents Ernest and Peggy Jackson are among the thousands of people who give each year.
“We really try to contribute to make our community better, and Great Give Day makes it a lot easier,” says Ernest. “When you see that something you’ve done has helped improve our community, it’s pretty powerful.”
For more information about Great Give Day, and to make your gifts to participating nonprofits on May 15, visit GreatGiveDay.org.
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