The Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque’s annual day of giving returns. On May 20, make your gift at GreatGiveDay.org to support participating nonprofits across the region.
Last year, nonprofits across the Dubuque region did something incredible: They shattered a fundraising record, bringing in over $630,000 on Great Give Day to support their work in the community. This year, with Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque once again supporting them, they aim to exceed that amount and set another record.
Over 200 nonprofits are participating in this year’s Great Give Day, which is Wednesday, May 20. Hosted by the Community Foundation, 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.”
On May 20, 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.”
The Community Foundation established Great Give Day 13 years ago as part of its work to strengthen nonprofits in the Dubuque region. Since then, it has raised more than $4.2 million for local organizations. Last year’s fundraising total of over $630,000 raised was a 40% increase over the $450,000 raised in 2024, and it even exceeded the Community Foundation’s own goal of raising $500,000.
Nonprofits of all sizes rally supporters to make Great Give Day a success. Last year, the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Dubuque, for example, raised nearly $53,000, a 403% increase over 2024, while the Dubuque Regional Humane Society counted 33 new donors, with 94 people giving in 2025.
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 20, visit GreatGiveDay.org.
This article is made possible by a partnership between Julien’s Journal and the Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque.
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