The impressive growth in Giving Challenge contributions goes hand-in-hand with the growth of The Giving Partner, which now hosts more than 800 nonprofit profiles detailing financial, leadership, and organizational information as well as goals and accomplishments. All participating nonprofit organizations demonstrated a commitment to transparency by developing their in-depth profile in this vital digital resource.

What was initially conceived as a three-year project has continued through nine Giving Challenges, all to promote the value of philanthropy throughout the region, encourage nonprofits to partner with local businesses and other nonprofits, and, ultimately, build community. 

During Giving Challenge years, the Community Foundation provides training sessions at no cost for nonprofit organizations which emphasize creative marketing strategies and social media proficiency as well as stewardship and communications skills.

“We focus the training to provide opportunities to strengthen the skill sets that a nonprofit needs to be successful, skills that last beyond that one day,” Roxie Jerde, President & CEO of the Community Foundation of Sarasota County said. “That is the true purpose of the Giving Challenge and The Giving Partner — to support and enhance our nonprofits to make our entire community better.”

A key factor in the Giving Challenge’s success has been the Community Foundation’s collaboration with The Patterson Foundation, which provides matching funds to incentivize donor participation. In the Giving Challenge’s first year, $334,000 in matching funds from The Patterson Foundation was given in the first four minutes. In 2024 The Patterson Foundation offered the same match they have since the 2018 Giving Challenge - matching every donation between $25 and $100 from a unique donor to that nonprofit organization. During the 2024 Giving Challenge, four individual donors maximized The Patterson Foundation match by donating $100 to each of the 724 participating nonprofits. This turned each of those $72,400 gifts into $144,800 gifts— a tremendous impact for our nonprofit community. While communities across the country have giving days, the Giving Challenge is believed to be the only one that offers this unlimited match.

Over the years, The Patterson Foundation has contributed nearly $37 million in matching dollars and donor incentives through the Giving Challenge.

“The Patterson Foundation wants to shift the dynamic so everyone can be a donor and everyone can make a difference,” said Debra Jacobs, President and CEO of The Patterson Foundation. “The Giving Challenge is a time the community can come together and say ‘I am part of something bigger than myself.’ You build community when people feel they are part of something bigger.

“The Giving Challenge engages people and strengthens organizations and the community. Every organization is doing important work. But we must find a way to have a bit of fun while doing important work. The Giving Challenge allows for that.”

Over the years, local foundations – including the Community Foundation of Sarasota County, The Patterson Foundation, the William G. and Marie Selby Foundation, Manatee Community Foundation, John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, and Charlotte Community Foundation – along with media partners have collectively provided prizes totaling nearly $2 million to spur creative partnerships and marketing efforts.

Complementing and enriching this support from foundations were local media partners, some of which have remained involved with the Giving Challenge since its inception in 2012. Before, during, and after the 24-hour giving day, these media partners were key to raising awareness and engaging and encouraging audiences across channels to connect with causes and become philanthropists. In 2024 alone, community and prize support came from iHeart Radio, Observer Media Group, the Sarasota Herald-Tribune, Sarasota Magazine,  Solmart Media, SRQ Media, WEDU PBS, WUSF Public Media, and WWSB-TV/ABC7.

The strength of the community lies within the strength of its partnerships and trusted relationships. As one of the many capacity-building activities at the Community Foundation of Sarasota County, the Giving Challenge is a local opportunity to innovate, come together, and collaborate to solve our needs and reach our aspirations.

The Giving Challenge is not an annual or guaranteed event. After every challenge the foundation partners come together to discuss outcomes, financial goals, and community need to determine when or if to host another Challenge.

The decision on future Giving Challenges has not been made yet. Subscribe to the Community Foundation of Sarasota County’s monthly newsletter, Nonprofit News, to stay up to date on all of Community Foundation of Sarasota County events and announcements related to future Giving Challenges.