ABOVE: ALSO Youth celebrates the 2020 Giving Challenge results. Photo via ALSO Youth’s Facebook page.
SARASOTA | The Community Foundation of Sarasota County’s 2020 Giving Challenge raised $18.4 million for nearly 700 nonprofits, including a number of LGBTQ-focused organizations.
The annual 24-hour giving event was held April 28-29. It exists to connect nonprofits with passionate donors in order to create transformative impact – which it did in conjunction with the donation-matching Patterson Foundation.
“Thank you! Our caring community once again demonstrated a remarkable outpouring of support during the #GivingChallenge2020, raising more than $18 million for nearly 700 nonprofit organizations serving Sarasota, Manatee, Charlotte, and DeSoto counties IN ONLY 24 HOURS!” the Community Foundation shared after the fundraising total was revealed.
“The unrestricted funds generously contributed by all of you during the Giving Challenge provide our nonprofit partners flexibility to respond to evolving community needs,” they continued. “A generous thank you to our partner The Patterson Foundation for strengthening the impact of your gift with a 1:1 matching opportunity.”
The Community Foundation also shared the 2020 Giving Challenge’s Leaderboard, which details the total dollar amount raised by donors, the Patterson Foundation’s match and the grand total. All Faiths Food Bank received the highest total, with $621,261.78 raised.
The donor gift amount, match and total raised for various LGBTQ and ally organizations can be found below, from the highest to lowest raised:
Florida Studio Theatre | $118,732.00, $83,225.00, $201,957.00
Venice Theatre | $96,035.50, $93,764.50, $189,800.00
Senior Friendship Centers | $125,380.00, $46,770.00, $172,150.00
Sarasota Opera Association| $124,810.29, $44,071.00, $168,881.29
Sarasota Orchestra |$90,022.00, $57,072.00, $147,094.00
Sarasota Ballet of Florida | $80,265.00, $37,525.00, $117,790.00
The Manatee Players | $65,575.00, $35,080.00, $100,655.00
Planned Parenthood Of Southwest And Central Florida | $48,202.00, $37,977.00, $86,179.00
Asolo Theater | $48,683.00, $36,083.00, $84,766.00
Circus Arts Conservatory | $37,325.00, $30,425.00, $67,750.00
The Players Inc | $30,548.00, $27,183.00, $57,731.00
Ringling College Of Art And Design | $29,238.88, $23,588.88, $52,827.76
Ringling Museum Of Art Foundation | $28,635.00, $21,215.00, $49,850.00
ALSO Youth | $26,340.00, $18,640.00, $44,980.00
Van Wezel Foundation | $21,855.00, $13,205.00, $35,060.00
Diversity: The Voices Of Sarasota | $9,225.00, $8,725.00, $17,950.00
CAN Community Health| $5,665.00, $4,715.00, $10,380.00
Harvey Milk Festival | $3,475.00, $2,775.00, $6,250.00
Sarasota Film Festival | $3,270.00, $2,920.00, $6,190.00
Equality Florida Institute, Inc. | $1,885.00 $1,635.00 $3,520.00
Sarasota Pride | $650.00, $650.00, $1,300.00
Organizations celebrated the gifts via social media throughout the 24 hour challenge, sharing their stories and thanking donors. Many also quickly reflected on the total afterwards, including ALSO Youth.
“From all of us at ALSO Youth – staff, board and committee members, volunteers, and our youth staying safe at home – you have lifted our spirits to the MOON!” the organization shared. “You’ve given us so much to celebrate during uncertain times due to the pandemic.
“Our youth are watching online and they are amazed, too,” they continued. “Thank you to all 281 of you who stepped up to #BeTheOne to empower LGBTQ youth during #GivingChallenge2020!”
“A BIG thank you to all the donors that contributed during the #GivingChallenge2020!” CAN Community Health also shared. “It has truly been amazing to see what our community can do when we all come together to support many incredible non-profits. #BeTheOne #WeAreOne”
You can watch Community Foundation of Sarasota County President Roxie Jerde and The Patterson Foundation President Debra Jacobs reveal the grand total below, along with host Judi Gallagher:
For additional information about this year’s recipients, organizers and more, visit the challenge’s website.
