By 1812Blockhouse
Richland County residents showed their philanthropic spirit during the annual Richland Gives campaign, contributing $804,938 through 1,666 donors to benefit 99 nonprofit organizations. Since its launch in 2015, the event has raised a remarkable $3,795,331, strengthening the local community and empowering nonprofits.
Supporting Local Nonprofits Through a Unique Platform
Richland Gives, hosted by the Richland County Foundation, is designed to inspire generosity by offering a centralized giving platform. This initiative helps nonprofits raise funds, increase awareness, and cultivate new supporters. The campaign also works to reconnect with past donors, building long-term capacity for these organizations.
The foundation awarded $80,000 in prize grants as additional incentives for nonprofits, recognizing achievements in fundraising and donor engagement. Categories were divided by organization size, and prizes were given for both the number of donors and total dollars raised.
Prize Winners Highlight Community Impact
As shared by the Foundation:
Small Nonprofit Category
- Most Donors:
- Visual Bucket List Foundation
- Mansfield Noon Optimist Club
- Mansfield Rotary Club
- Most Dollars:
- Taking Root Farms
- Time for a Change Diaper Bank
- Oak Hill Cottage
Medium Nonprofit Category
- Most Donors:
- Humane Society of Richland County
- North Central Ohio Land Conservancy
- Habitat for Humanity of Richland and Crawford Counties
- Most Dollars:
- Ohio Bird Sanctuary
- Lucas Community Center
- North Central State College Foundation
Large Nonprofit Category
- Most Donors:
- St. Peter’s School
- Richland Pregnancy Services
- North End Community Improvement Collaborative
- Most Dollars:
- Discovery School
- Friendly House
- Mansfield Art Center
Special Awards and Incentives
Richland Gives also offered additional opportunities for nonprofits to secure grants through creative challenges, early giving, and random prize drawings:
- Early Giving Drawing: Nonprofits raising at least $2,000 between November 18 and December 3 were entered into a drawing. Winners included the North End Community Improvement Collaborative and Richland Academy of the Arts.
- Golden Ticket Hours: Prizes were awarded for raising the most funds or having the most donors during select hours. Recipients included the Ohio Bird Sanctuary and Friendly House.
- First-Time Participant Award: The Music Academy of Karate and Empowerment won the $500 Fab Freshman Award for securing the most donors as a first-time participant.
- Creative Campaigning: Discovery School earned $760 from a peer-to-peer fundraising page by Miriam Mandour, titled “Omari’s Wolfpack Read-A-Thon.”
- Matching Grants: Organizations meeting their match in full entered a drawing for additional funds, with winners like the Nuhop Center for Experiential Learning receiving up to $1,000.
- Best Online Presence: Friendly House earned a $1,000 award for the Best Looking #RichlandGives page, judged by Mighty Cause employees.
Top Fundraisers Recognized
Ten organizations that raised $10,000 with at least 10 donors earned an additional $1,000 prize. This impressive group included:
- Discovery School
- Taking Root Farms
- Lucas Community Center
- North Central State College Foundation
Strengthening the Community One Gift at a Time
By fostering a culture of giving, Richland Gives continues to play a vital role in enriching Richland County. It highlights the power of collective generosity to fuel nonprofits and address local needs.
Key Takeaways:
- $804,938 raised by 1,666 donors for 99 nonprofits.
- Richland Gives has raised over $3.7 million since 2015.
- Foundation awarded $80,000 in prize grants to incentivize participation.
- Winners spanned categories for small, medium, and large nonprofits.
- New participants like the Music Academy of Karate made an impact.
For more details and to view all participating organizations, visit the Richland Gives website.
