Give Local fundraising blitz planned

The Flathead Community Foundation and United Way are teaming up for an ambitious fundraiser: Raise $100,000 in 24 hours.

On Tuesday, May 5, from 12 a.m. to 11:59:59 p.m., the two organizations will co-host “Give Local Flathead — A Fiesta for Philanthropy” as part of Give Local America, a national event with local impact. 

The 24-hour online giving day was created last year to celebrate the 100th anniversary of local community foundations, by helping raise critical funds and increasing awareness for nonprofit organizations across the country. Last year, Give Local America resulted in donations of $53.7 million to local communities, in just one day.

This year Give Local America hopes to help raise $100 million for thousands of community causes nationwide. 

Flathead Community Foundation is partnering with United Way and local sponsors to connect donors with organizations that are enhancing quality of life and addressing essential needs here in our own backyard.

Give Local Flathead’s inaugural goal is to raise $100,000 in online donations. Current sponsors are Women Who Wine of Kalispell, 406 Woman magazine, West One Bank and the Montana Community Foundation. 

First to step up with incentive prize dollars and volunteer power were the Women Who Wine of Kalispell, a women’s giving circle with more than 150 members. In addition to helping promote the event to nonprofit participants and sponsors, the women’s group is coordinating festivities with United Way for the Fiesta of Philanthropy, which will be held all day at the Hampton Inn in Kalispell. Fiesta goers will get assistance with online donations and information about Give Local Flathead’s benefiting nonprofits. Live music, refreshments and entertainment are planned. Donors at the Fiesta will be entered into drawings for an array of thank you gift baskets.

“Give Local Flathead is an opportunity for everyone in our community to give where we live,” said Lucy Smith, executive director of Flathead Community Foundation. “Our nonprofit organizations are there for us 24/7, 365 days a week. On May 5 we have 24 hours to celebrate and thank them in a big way.”

Everyone and anyone has an opportunity to be a philanthropist for a day.

“Many people think it takes considerable wealth to have an impact, but even the smallest donation can make a big difference,” United Way Executive Director Sherry Stevens said. “Every dollar really does count when it goes to a community need.”

For more information or to become a sponsor for Give Local Flathead, visit www.givelocalflathead.org , call 756-9047 or email info@flatheadcommunityfoundation.org.