Click above to download snapshot of all past Giving Challenges

The impressive growth in Giving Challenge contributions goes hand-in-hand with the growth of The Giving Partner, which now hosts over 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 eight 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 free training sessions 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 2022, The Patterson Foundation matched every donation between $25 and $100 from a unique donor to that nonprofit organization. During the 2022 Giving Challenge, we even had a single donor give $100 to each of the 667 participating nonprofit organizations and The Patterson Foundation matched the entire gift. 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 more than $30 million in matching dollars and donor incentives through the Giving Challenge.

Click above to download full TPF Giving Challenge overview

“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 2022 alone, community and prize support came from the Herald-Tribune Media Group, iHeart Radio, Observer Media Group, Sarasota Magazine/Sagacity, SCENE Magazine, SNN TV, Solmart Media, SRQ Media, WEDU, WUSF, 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 Community Foundation of Sarasota County is excited to announce that the next Giving Challenge will be from noon to noon, April 9-10, 2024. Mark your calendars for the big event next spring.

Join the Community Foundation of Sarasota County’s monthly Nonprofit newsletter mailing list if you’re not already receiving to stay up to date on all of Community Foundation of Sarasota County events and announcements related to the 2024 Giving Challenge.