The Miami Foundation raised more than $1.2 million during the inaugural Give Miami Day. Held on Wednesday, December 12, 2012, the 24-hour fundraising effort benefitted 300 nonprofit organizations that built searchable profiles on GiveMiamiDay.org. The public was able to browse the profiles, allowing almost 5,000 donors from 45 states and eight countries to see the mission, work and impact of each organization, then immediately make a charitable gift. Nonprofits connected with donors looking to support the important work they do in the community.
“Give Miami Day completely surpassed our expectations,” said Javier Alberto Soto, president and CEO of The Miami Foundation. “Our community’s generosity of spirit was on full display as we proved once again that, when given the right opportunity, Miamians will generously give to build a better community.”
Every donation between $25 and $10,000 received through GiveMiamiDay.org on December 12th will have 12.5 percent of it matched by $100,000 contributed by the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation and $100,000 contributed by The Miami Foundation. Additionally, the Marlins Foundation provided $15,000 in incentive prizes to nonprofits throughout the 24-hour event.
“This first Give Miami Day would not have been possible without the help and support of Knight Foundation and Marlins Foundation,” said Nancy Jones, vice president for development and communications at The Miami Foundation. “We are grateful to the community for their extraordinary outpouring of donations and also credit this great success to the nonprofit organizations that participated and promoted the event. This is their victory as well.”
Lead fundraisers for the event included Neat Stuff, Inc., a Miami-based nonprofit providing new clothing for abused and neglected children, which raised $45,875, and The Children’s Movement of Florida, which received the largest number of gifts, 252, and raised $41,951.
“The incredible success of this inaugural community building effort created a special Miami Moment that we should all feel proud of,” continued Soto. “It has demonstrated that America’s long tradition of philanthropy is alive and thriving in Miami. We hope that it also serves to further increase engagement and attachment to Miami on the part of all who call this place home.”
The Foundation is committed to making this an annual event and increasing its reach and impact each year. Planning for Give Miami Day 2013 is already underway.
About The Miami Foundation – Established in 1967, The Miami Foundation has helped hundreds of people create personal, permanent and powerful legacies by establishing custom, charitable funds. With foundation expertise, fundholders have fostered the arts, awarded scholarships, championed diversity, taught kids to read, provided food and shelter for the hungry and homeless, and more. More than $150 million in grants and scholarships has been awarded in the foundation’s 45-year history. Today, the foundation is steward to more than $160 million in charitable assets. For more information about The Miami Foundation, visit www.miamifoundation.org.
