The Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque’s annual day of giving returns. On May 21, make your gift at GreatGiveDay.org to support participating nonprofits across the region.
St. Mark Youth Enrichment is an important resource for many families in Dubuque County. Through offerings like early childhood education, after-school programs and school supply distribution, St. Mark complements the work of local schools and other nonprofits, providing resources that help with learning and positive development. To support this work, St. Mark takes part in Great Give Day, the largest day of giving in Eastern Iowa. In 2024, the organization raised over $10,000 in just 24 hours.
St. Mark is one of over 200 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 21, 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 $30,000 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 11:30 AM to 1:30 PM May 21 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 12 years ago as part of its work to strengthen nonprofits in the Dubuque region. Since then, it has raised more than $3.6 million for local organizations, including more than $450,000 in 2024. This year, the Foundation has set a fundraising goal of $500,000.
Behind the final tallies are additional outcomes that build strong nonprofits. Many organizations start endowment funds with the Foundation so people can give to them on Great Give Day. These funds are invested, continue to grow, and pay out each year to sustain nonprofits’ work.
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 21, visit GreatGiveDay.org.
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