The Miami Foundation’s Give Miami Day set a new fundraising record, solidifying it as one of the most active 24-hour charitable giving events in the U.S.
Some 19,000 donors from around the globe poured $9.1 million into 664 local nonprofits participating in Give Miami Day 2016 on Nov. 17.
Now in its fifth year, the event — held annually on the Thursday before Thanksgiving — has raised more than $25.6 million for local organizations in every nonprofit sector, from arts to housing to science and technology.
“Our community has totally taken ownership of Give Miami Day,” said Javier Alberto Soto, president and CEO of The Miami Foundation.
“Everywhere I went on Thursday, the energy was palpable — all of Greater Miami was pumped about giving back and supporting these important organizations. The day’s outstanding results prove the heights Miamians can reach when we band together in support of the place we call home.”
The Greater Miami Jewish Federation raised the most on the day: $476,214 from 294 donors. Planned Parenthood of South Florida and the Treasure Coast Inc. received the most individual gifts, with 725 donations totaling $155,149. The Children’s Movement of Florida received the most gifts among medium size organizations, earning $125,517 from 685 gifts. Touching Miami With Love, a faith-based nonprofit specializing in youth and family development, also had a high volume of donations, with 213 gifts totaling $63,532.
Other notable organizations included Pelican Harbor Seabird Station (263 gifts: $23,775), Melissa Institute for Violence and Prevention (153 gifts: $36,562), and the String Bag Project (201 gifts: $10,495).
Thanks to the support of the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, William R. Watts Foundation, Health Foundation of South Florida, Mitchell Wolfson, Sr. Foundation, Stearns Weaver Miller, and dozens of other community donors, The Miami Foundation will match a portion of every donation between $25 and $10,000 through a Bonus Pool topping one half million dollars. The Miami Marlins again supported the Prize Pool, donating an additional $25,000-plus to organizations throughout the day. Miami FC sponsored two Match Minutes at 7:10 a.m. and 3:05 p.m., matching 100 percent of every donation between $25 and $100 up to $7,500.
Residents celebrated the day’s success at the Give Miami Day Community Block Party, hosted at the Miami Book Fair’s The Porch. Attendees enjoyed exhibits from participating nonprofits, food trucks and live performances, including WLRN’s 6 Words Miami Improv.
Give Miami Day is an initiative of The Miami Foundation that furthers its mission of increasing local philanthropy and providing community engagement opportunities for every Miamian. Last year, more than 600 participating nonprofits raised $7.1 million from donors across Miami-Dade County, the U.S. and more than 30 countries.
For more information about the nonprofits that participated in Give Miami Day, as well as total gift amounts, visit GiveMiamiDay.org.
Established in 1967, The Miami Foundation uses civic leadership, community investment and philanthropy to improve the quality of life for everyone who calls Greater Miami home. The organization partners with individuals, families and corporations who have created more than 1,000 personalized, philanthropic funds. thanks to them, the miami foundation has awarded over $250 million in grants and currently manage $285 million in assets to build a better Miami.
Learn more about the Foundation and the Our Miami Report at miamifoundation.org and ourmiami.org.
