Amazing Raise raises $1.7 million for local nonprofits

People the world over helped top last year’s total.

September 18, 2014; 9:08 PM • by Nathan Cushing

Update #1 — September 18, 2014; 9:08 PM

People in the Richmond Region, all 50 states, and 18 countries gave 20,421 individual donations totaling $1.74 million to local nonprofits during the annual 36-hour fundraiser (see below).

Although this year’s total falls short of organizers’ $2 million goal, it beats last year’s gift total of $1.5 million.

“The Greater Richmond region has a generosity of spirit that rivals any city, large or small, and it extends to our affiliate region in the Northern Neck and Middle Peninsula,” said Darcy Oman, President & CEO of The Community Foundation, organizers of The Amazing Raise, in a statement. “The Amazing Raise continues to shine a light on both the strong network of nonprofits that serve our region, as well as the thousands of people who view their work as important to our quality of life.”

Out of 619 participating nonprofits in this year’s event, 522 received at least one donation, and 114 received more than 50. The Community Foundation said the “majority” of gifts came from Richmond Region donors.

In addition to the online gifts, The Community Foundation had a prize pool of $185,000 to incentivize giving throughout the 36-hour event.

Top prizes were split among organizations — grouped by those with over $1 million in annual revenue and those under $1 million in revenue — with the largest number of unique gifts of $50 or more:

Large organizations

1st Place • $15,000 • Church Hill Activities and Tutoring • 990 unique gifts, $70,932 raised
2nd Place • $10,000 • Commonwealth Public Broadcasting Corporation • 412 unique gifts, $45,492 raised
3rd Place • $7,500 • Elijah House Academy • 406 unique gifts, $31,116 raised

Small organizations

1st Place • $15,000 • Blue Sky Fund • 381 unique gifts, $24,051 raised
2nd Place • $10,000 • Richmond Center for Christian Study • 329 unique gifts, $20,905 raised
3rd Place • $7,500 • Project Yoga Richmond • 267 unique gifts, $22,570 raised

This is the second consecutive year that Church Hill Activities and Tutoring (CHAT) has won the top prize. CHAT also won the grand prize when The Amazing Raise began in 2011.

Here’s a full list of this year’s participating nonprofits and awarded prizes.

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Original — September 17, 2014

The 4th annual Amazing Raise, the 36-hour online fundraiser supporting local nonprofits, begins September 17th at 6:00 AM. The Community Foundation, organizers of the annual fundraiser, hopes to raise $2 million for the 619 local nonprofits participating in this year’s event.

So how does it work?

Simply donate money to your favorite local nonprofits during the 36-hour window. In addition to public donations (called gifts), participating nonprofits can earn money from a $180,000 prize pool based on the total number of donations $50 or more. The nonprofit with the most donations $50 or more receives $15,000.

There’ll also be prizes for the nonprofit that receives the most donations closest to 12:00 AM ($1,000); the one with the most popular YouTube video ($1,500); among other prizes.

“With thousands of people near and far contributing to support their favorite causes, the ‘power of many’ is on full display,” said Darcy Oman, President and CEO of The Community Foundation, in a release. “If everyone gives a little…or a little extra, we believe we can reach our goal of $2 million, which will have an immediate impact in our region.”

Last year, The Amazing Raise earned $1.5 million for local nonprofits. Since its inception, The Amazing Raise has generated over 30,000 gifts and $3.3 million for local nonprofits.

Donate to local nonprofits during The Amazing Race here.