34,132 generous contributions in 24 hours to 571 nonprofit organizations
Giving is up 78% from 2014
(May 6, 2015|New Orleans, LA) While the final numbers won’t be in for several weeks, initial returns indicate that the Greater New Orleans Foundation’s GiveNOLA Day generated an incredible $4 million in online contributions for 571 nonprofits, exceeding its 2014 total of $2.2 million by $1.8 million. The total number of online contributions exceeded 34,000 at the close of the 24-hour period.
“We came together as one to support a vast array of nonprofit organizations that do so much to help create a healthy region,” said Albert Ruesga, president and CEO of the Greater New Orleans Foundation. “Everyone should be incredibly proud of this accomplishment. This is a testament to the generosity of our community.”
During the 24-hour campaign on Tuesday, May 5th, people made online donations to one or more of the 571 nonprofit organizations profiled on www.GiveNOLA.org. Donations came from all 50 states and the District of Columbia and more than 25 countries.
Every dollar donated on GiveNOLA Day will be stretched with additional “lagniappe” dollars provided by the Greater New Orleans Foundation and its generous GiveNOLA Day sponsors. The total amount in the Lagniappe Fund is $277,000. Additionally, awards and prizes totaling $96,000 will be awarded.
Cash awards will be given to organizations that raised the most money and attracted the largest number of unique donors. Preliminary returns indicate that the three large-budget nonprofits raising the most money were the Ogden Museum of Southern Art, the Louise S. McGehee School, and Trinity Episcopal Church. The top three smaller-budget nonprofits raising the largest amount of money were the Jewish Federation of Greater New Orleans, the New Orleans Film Society, and SpayMart, Inc
The large-budget nonprofits that had the largest number of unique donors were Team Gleason, the Louise S. McGehee School, and Second Harvest Food Bank. The smaller-budget nonprofits that had the largest number of unique donors were Healing Hearts for Community Development, Animal Rescue New Orleans, and Jefferson SPCA.
Large-budget nonprofits are those with annual operating budgets of $1 million or more, while smaller-budget nonprofits are those operating on less than $1 million.
These standings will be confirmed within the coming days.
Participating nonprofits mobilized their supporters, primarily through social media and online communications, to give on GiveNOLA Day. The one-day of giving was supported by a publicity campaign that included ads in print and online, and a broadcast commercial with a song performed by local musical legend Irma Thomas.
GiveNOLA Day’s presenting sponsor was Entergy. The supporting sponsors were Boh Brothers, the Mike and Lynn Coatney Family Foundation Fund, Gillis, Ellis & Baker, Laitram, the Lemle Fund, and the Shell Beach Fund. Friend sponsors were All American Grease Companies, Baldwin & Haspel, Stephanie and David Barksdale, Bellwether Technology, Canal Barge, Capitol One, HRI Properties, Jones Walker, Merrill Lynch, Postlewaite and Netterville, and Villere and Company. Partner sponsors were Adams & Reese, the Boettcher Fund, Bruce Blakemore Poitevent Fund, New Orleans Convention & Visitors Bureau, and Peter A. Mayer Advertising.
Local nonprofits that wish to participate in GiveNOLA Day 2016 are encouraged to sign up for the Greater New Orleans Foundation’s e-newsletter.