The ‘Amazing Raise’ comes to Richmond for 36 hours (UPDATE: $631K raised)

A first-time event hopes to raise money for Richmond-area nonprofits. For just 36 hours, people can donate to their favorite local charity in the hopes of winning upwards of $10,000 for that very charity. The “race” has already begun, and you have until 6pm tomorrow to make your donation count. Here’s all the info that you’ll need!

October 5, 2011; 6:00 AM • by RVANews staff

The Amazing Raise starts today. The 36-hour drive that started at 6am is designed to increase the amount of financial contributions to local nonprofit organizations.

As part of the promotion, the first 20 nonprofits to receive $50 or more from 50 unique donors will receive a grant prize of $2,500. The top three organizations to receive the most donations of $50 or more will receive prizes ranging from $5,000 to $10,000 in grants.

The Community Foundation Serving Richmond and Central Virginia, has committed $100,000 to be distributed among the winning nonprofits. Founded in 1968, The Community Foundation facilitates the building of endowment, partners with nonprofits to generate grants, and provides leadership on a variety of community issues.

Last year, The Community Foundation launched GiveRichmond.org to better share to the public information about nonprofits. It currently provides information on approximately 350 local nonprofit entities. The Amazing Raise event celebrates GiveRichmond.org’s one-year anniversary.

All donations must be made on the GiveRichmond.org website in order to be counted toward the awarding of grant prizes.

The event ends at 6pm tomorrow at 6pm.

UPDATE

The Amazing Raise collected $631,000 in the 36 hour time limit. This amount averages to over $17,500 per hour. “Our goal for The Amazing Raise was to expand and increase philanthropy in the region,” said Darcy Oman, President and CEO of the Community Foundation in a press release. “It was absolutely thrilling to see so many people come together in support of our local nonprofits and their work to strengthen our community.”

The top recipient nonprofits that earned the largest sum of donated money won additional grants in addition to the money earned in the 36-hour drive, grants that will be funded by The Community Foundation. The top three recipients were:

1st Place: Church Hill Activities and Tutoring, $10,000
2nd Place: Fredericksburg Academy, $7,000
3rd Place: Richmond SPCA, $5,000

This is the first year of the promotional event that was organized to educate the public as to the 271 nonprofits that are apart of the GiveRichmond.org collective, as well as to inspire and facilitate public donations to these nonprofits.