Mid-Missouri nonprofits appeal for help on Giving Tuesday
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
For more than a decade, the Tuesday after Thanksgiving has been labeled Giving Tuesday, a day meant to emphasize charitable giving.
A local online fundraiser ComoGives, which runs throughout December, is one of the charitable campaigns looking to get in on the giving.
“Giving Tuesday is something that's been nationally recognized in the last 10 years and it's something that CoMoGives -- also has in the region -- been recognized," said Eric Sappington, Community Foundation of Central Missouri executive director. "And to have both of them going on at the same time in the same day, what else are you going to do? But you're going to give.”
This is Sappington's first time serving in this role for ComoGives' fundraiser.
“I was excited for the website to go active and start seeing the donations come through," Sappington said. "And then you sit and think, wow, this is going to be really impactful.”
ComoGives runs every December to support local, high-impact nonprofits. All donations go directly to the 180 participating nonprofits across Columbia and Mid-Missouri.
“Last year was the largest year in CoMoGives history of $2.1 million and with 174 organizations,” Sappington said.
This year, donors have raised more than $330,000 in the first three days of the campaign. Some local nonprofits have taken to social media to encourage people to donate for Giving Tuesday.
First Chance for Children shared reasons to donate on its Instagram page on Tuesday morning.
"550,000 diapers distributed to keep little ones clean and healthy," the post says. "6,000 families supported this year through life-changing programs like home visits, safe sleep education, and Lend & Learn Toy Libraries."
Woodhaven provides opportunities and support for adults with developmental disabilities. Woodhaven also made an Instagram post Tuesday morning encouraging people to donate to ComoGives.
"Your generous donations will directly fund scholarships for our individuals at Woodhaven," the post says.
City of Refuge seeks to serve refugees through building relationships, education and development.
City of Refuge made a Giving Tuesday post on its Instagram page saying, "This is what community looks like."
"This past Saturday, one of our friends was overjoyed when she received bags of fresh green peppers from a local farm," the post says. "With excitement, she carefully practiced the English words to share her plans — she couldn’t wait to make a meal for her children that they all love."
This is the Cedar Creek Therapeutic Riding Center's second year participating in CoMoGives.
“We provide equine therapy for children and adults and veterans with physical, mental and emotional disabilities," Executive Director Karen Grindler said. "A lot of people don't realize it, but the movement of the horse is the closest thing you can get to the human walk.”
But Grindler said providing the horses can be expensive.
“Since we work with horses, our expenses are year round," Grindler said. "In the wintertime we can take a break for lessons, but our horses still need to be fed twice a day.”
Grindler said the donations from CoMoGives allow her to keep business running.
“We’re so excited to be a part of it," Grindler said. "And it’s really kind of magical that it comes at this time of the year, at Christmas.”
GivingTuesday CEO Asha Curan created the nonprofit back in 2012. It was made for innovation and social impact in New York City, according to GivingTuesday's website.
A decade later, it is a global trend with 90 national movements and participants spanning more than 300 communities worldwide.
On Giving Tuesday 2022, $3.1 billion was donated in the United States, according to the GivingTuesday 2022 Impact Report. That was a 15% increase from Giving Tuesday 2021 and a 25% increase from 2020.
