More than $900,000 for Greater New Haven’s Nonprofits

Small, Newer Organizations Score Big in The Great Give^® 2013

New Haven, CT (October 4, 2013) –The Great Give^® 2013, which took place over a 36-hour period from October 2-3, shattered all previous records for giving events in Greater New Haven, resulting in $755,645 from donor gifts and an additional $150,000 in prizes and matching grants from The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven and its affiliate, the Valley Community Foundation (VCF). The giving event represents the fourth of its kind organized by The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven through its web-based knowledge and giving resource known as giveGreater.org^®.

"This year's giving event represents a fabulous response by Greater New Haven donors," said William W. Ginsberg, President & CEO of The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven, noting that The Great Give^® 2013 produced 6,768 gifts, forty-five percent of which were made by donors who reported giving to an organization for the first time (compared to 38% in 2012). Ginsberg noted that this year's event "will produce great benefit for our local nonprofit sector, not only from the gifts and grants made but also from the donors who stepped forward to support particular nonprofits for the first time."

There was a one hundred twenty-five percent increase in donations from individuals ($335,000 to $755,000) and a sixty-seven percent increase in the number of gifts (from 4,059 to 6,768) compared to 2012. The average gift size also increased by thirty-five percent (from $77 in 2012 to $87 in 2013). The number of donors who chose to give recurring gifts on a monthly basis also rose.

"Earlier this week, The Community Foundation released its State of the Nonprofit Sector in Greater New Haven report, which shows that the needs of people already served by nonprofits are growing and the number of people seeking services is climbing.

"Our report shows that local nonprofits need even broader and deeper community support," Ginsberg added, "and The Great Give^® 2013 demonstrates the community's commitment to its nonprofits." The report can be seen on The Community Foundation's website at www.cfgnh.org/sos2013.

Grants distributed by issue area from giveGreater.org® and The Great Give® during 2013.

As in 2012, The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven and Valley Community Foundation provided matching funds ($125,000 and $26,500 respectively) to be awarded in tiered and random grant prizes to incentivize giving. The highest prizes available were three grants of $15,000 each to the nonprofits that raised the most money, attracted the greatest number of donors and the greatest number of new donors. These Grand Prize winners were Squash Haven, Music Haven and Ball & Socket Arts.

Other Grand Prize winners included: Neighborhood Music School ($5,000) and Center Stage($3,000) for the next highest number of donors and New Haven Ballet ($5,000) and Fair Haven Community Health Center ($3,000) for the next highest number of new donors.

According to Sharon Closius, President of the Valley Community Foundation, Valley donors tripled the amount they gave overall compared to 2012, resulting in over $60,000 for nonprofits serving the 5 towns of Ansonia, Derby, Oxford, Seymour and Shelton. The number of donors also increased. VCF will be announcing its Grand Prize winners at an upcoming reception for nonprofits and donors who gave during The Great Give 2013. For more information visit their website at www.valleyfoundation.org.

See the final list of money raised and matching gifts/prizes.

For organizations like the Boys & Girls Club of New Haven, The Great Give provided a platform to increase their visibility and attract new support. "This was really energizing for my staff, board and me," said Stephanie R. Barnes, Executive Director of Boys & Girls Club of New Haven. "We counted ourselves the underdogs so we're so pleased to have experienced such an outpouring of support." The organization raised $26,000 as a result of the campaign.

New this year, individuals with donor advised funds at The Community Foundation were encouraged to participate. A total of $108,000 was contributed in that manner.

View the 2013 givegreater.org® donors list.