24-hour Georgia Gives fundraiser results in millions for nonprofits

A 24-hour fundraising marathon to benefit organizations across the state resulted in $6.8 million for Georgia nonprofits.

During the Nov. 28 campaign, a record $4 million was donated through GAgives.org and another $2.8 million from 36 other major donation platforms. More than 3,000 nonprofits participated.

The National Infantry Museum Foundation, which topped the leaderboard two years in a row before ranking second in 2016, came in third this year, raising $294,674, according to information on the GAgives website. The Georgia Military College Foundation, located in Milledgeville, raised the most money with $480,243. Enduring Hearts, a Marietta-based heart transplant research organization, ranked second with $319,962.

The total raised for Columbus nonprofits had not been calculated, according to Brionna Boileau-Theresias, an account executive at Edelman Public Relations, a firm representing the Georgia Center for Nonprofits, which organizes the annual campaign.

In its first five annual events, GAgives raised more than $13 million from 73,000 gifts, according to a news release from the agency. This year, the fundraising blitz was held in partnership with the global #GivingTuesday initiative. Worldwide, the 2017 #GivingTuesday campaign raised a grand total of $274 million in giving – a 50 percent increase over last year’s total, according to GCN.

“The year-over-year growth in these giving movements is clear proof of an ever-increasing appreciation for nonprofits, and the work they do to strengthen communities and enrich lives,” said GCN President Karen Beavor. “And we’re positive that the giving tradition will continue growing.”

Organizers are already preparing for next year’s GAgives and #GivingTuesday, scheduled for Nov. 27. Nonprofits are encouraged to register now.

“When Georgia’s nonprofits benefit, so does Georgia,” said Beavor. “GCN is grateful for all the efforts, great and small, that played a part in making Nov. 28, 2017 Georgia’s biggest day of giving yet.”

To register for next year’s Georgia Gives Day, go to https://www.gagives.org/c/GGD/p/RegisterYourNonprofit/.

This story was originally published December 11, 2017 at 10:55 AM with the headline "24-hour Georgia Gives fundraiser results in millions for nonprofits."