Nonprofits take part in Idaho Gives
SANDPOINT — It's time to donate with Idaho Gives.
All day today, people can donate online to help out their favorite local, participating nonprofit.
Idaho Gives is a program of the Idaho Nonprofit Center, designed to bring the state together in raising money and awareness for nonprofits around Idaho.
The 24-hour event started at midnight and will continue through 11:59 p.m. tonight.
Each organization has the opportunity to receive 100 percent of donations when donors choose to "cover the fees." The fees are 6.7 percent, plus $0.30 per credit card transaction.
All 501(c)(3) nonprofits in Idaho were eligible for the event, and 13 Bonner County organizations signed up before the registration cutoff date in April.
Participating Sandpoint area organizations include the East Bonner County Library District, Community Cancer Services, Sandpoint Area Seniors, Inc., Rock Creek Alliance, Friends of Scotchman Peaks Wilderness, Bonner Community Food Bank, Panhandle Animal Shelter, Selkirk Outdoor and Leadership Education and Academic Decathlon Idaho. Other Bonner County organizations include Memorial Community Center in Hope, American Heritage Wildlife Foundation in Clark Fork, Advocates for Women and Selkirk Conservation Alliance, both in Priest River. And don't forget the Pearl Theater in Bonners Ferry.
Each of the participating organizations have a profile on the Idaho Gives website with information, photos and suggested donation amounts, but donors can choose their own amount as well.
Starbucks Coffee locations in Ponderay and Sandpoint are supporting the East Bonner County Library District's remodel and expansion project. Anyone who stops by the Sandpoint Library lobby between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. can get some free coffee and treats. An Idaho Gives display will be set up in the lobby and donation jars will be set up at both Starbucks locations.
Many of the organizations have a goal, such as the Memorial Community Center in Hope, which hopes to reach $6,000 for its "Rainy Day Fund." Each donation will also help Idaho Gives reach the overall goal of $1 for every adult in Idaho — a total of $1.2 million.
"This year, we are aiming to raise more funds for Idaho nonprofits than ever before," said Amy Little, Idaho Nonprofit Center executive director, in an April press release.
It is the fifth year of Idaho Gives and in that time, the event has raised more than $3.5 million for charitable causes in the state.
Organizations also have the chance to win prizes. Leaderboard prizes will go to the top small, medium and large nonprofits; throughout the day, random donors will receive "golden tickets" and their donation will be instantly matched; one nonprofit in each of Idaho's five regions will secure a bonus matching donation; and the first donation after midnight earned a $250 bonus for the corresponding nonprofit.
To donate, visit www.idahogives.org.
Mary Malone can be reached by email at mmalone@bonnercountydailybee.com and follow her on Twitter @MaryDailyBee.