Giving Challenge gets ready for take off

Each year, The Giving Partner hosts a 24-hour fundraising drive. From noon Tuesday, May 6 to noon Wednesday, May 7, more than 400 local 501(c)(3) organizations are seeking funds. In addition to the funds they receive, there is $675,000 in matching funds from local foundations. Last year, the Giving Challenge raised $2.78 million.

What this means is that the earlier in the day you give, the better chance your selected organization has of being matched. Because it’s such a generous cause, the matching funds go quickly. Last year, the matching funds ran out in five-and-a-half minutes.The results will be updated every 60 seconds online so you can see how the organization you are supporting does in the challenge.

The local foundations funding the matches this year come from the Community Foundation of Sarasota County, The Patterson Foundation, Manatee Community Foundation, the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, the William G. And Marie Selby Foundation and Charlotte Community Foundation.

Donations, with a minimum gift of $25, are only accepted online. For more information, to see the organizations seeking funds and to donate, visit Givingpartnerchallenge.org.