Ky. Gives Day set for May 12

The annual giving day brings Kentuckians and nonprofits to­gether for a day of action, according to a news release from Central Kentucky Community Foundation. Hosted by the Ken­tucky Nonprofit Network, the community foundation sponsors the event locally. All nonprofit organizations interested in boosting or launching online fundraising efforts are invited to participate.

“Last year, our local nonprofit organizations set a record for our region on Ky. Gives Day,” said Davette B. Swiney, president and CEO of the foundation. “In only 24 hours, they raised $92,637. We look forward to continuing to help people in our region connect with the causes they care about in 2020.”

To help area nonprofits prepare, the foundation will host a Ky. Gives Day Kickoff Workshop at 1:30 p.m. March 23 at its office, known as the Home of Philanthropy, at 200 Jim Owen Drive in Elizabethtown.

Any nonprofit organization interested in participating in the event is encouraged to attend. The workshop is free and will provide detailed information about the event and how to make it a successful giving day for your nonprofit.

Nonprofit organizations with 501(c)3 designation operating in Kentucky may register through April 14 at kygives.org. Ky. Gives Day registration is free for Kentucky Nonprofit Network members. Organizations that are not members may either join the network at the time of registration or pay a one-time fee.

“Ky. Gives Day provides nonprofit organizations the opportunity to bring exposure to the projects that make a difference in our communities and offers individuals a way to support those efforts,” said Jennifer Moran, director of mission advancement at St. James Catholic Regional School, which raised the most money statewide last year. “For two years now, our St. James family and friends have rallied around to make Ky. Gives Day a huge success for us.”

The 24-hour event begins at midnight May 12 and continues until 11:59 p.m. Donors can go online to kygives.org, connect with the Kentucky charities and causes they care about and make contributions.

With support from event sponsors, Kentucky Nonprofit Network will award prizes throughout the day as an additional incentive for donors to keep giving. The Central Kentucky Community Foundation sweetens the prize pool by awarding other prize opportunities to organizations serving in its nine-county region of Breckinridge, Grayson, Hardin, Hart, LaRue, Marion, Meade, Nelson and Washington counties. Some participating organizations secure matching gifts which double the impact of donations.

“Kentucky Gives Day brings communities from across Ken­tucky together through the power of philanthropy. KNN is proud to partner with nonprofits organizations, our sponsors, regional partner, media partners and donors to make May 12 another powerful day of action in the Commonwealth,” said Danielle Clore, executive director of the network.

Other free resources, including webinars and informational and promotional materials, about the event are available at kygivesday.org. Free training for participating organizations is provided by KNN’s online partner, GiveGab. Nonprofits should register as soon as possible to take advantage of these resources.

For information, go to kygives.org.