Key Giving Challenge Dates
With all of the excitement leading up to the 2026 Giving Challenge on April 15-16 from noon to noon, below are a few important dates you'll want to mark on your calendar and remember. Additional dates will be added periodically.
Key deadlines noted below in red
AUGUST 2025
→ Best 2024 Giving Challenge Story Prize Application opens: Aug. 12, 2025
SEPTMBER 2025
→ Giving Challenge Registration opens for Nonprofits: Sept 2, 2025
→ Training Webinar, Kick-Off: Getting Ready: Sept 9, 2025
→ Deadline for Best 2024 Giving Challenge Story Prize Application: Sept. 30, 2025 (5 p.m. EST)
OCTOBER 2025
→ Best Video Commercial Prize Application opens: Oct. 1, 2025
→ Training Webinar: Oct. TBD, 2025
→ *Deadline for NEW Profile in The Giving Partner to be Submitted: Oct. 31, 2025 (5 p.m. EST)
→ Deadline for Get It Current! Keep It Current! Prize eligibility: Oct. 31, 2025 (5 p.m. EST)
NOVEMBER 2025
DECEMBER 2025
→ Giving Challenge Registration Ends for Nonprofits: Dec 31, 2025 (noon EST)
→ *The Giving Partner Profile Update Deadline (EXISTING profiles): Dec 31, 2025 (noon EST)
JANUARY 2026
→ Training Webinar: Jan. TBD, 2026
→ Deadline for Best Video Commercial Prize Application: Jan. 30, 2026 (5 p.m. EST)
FEBRUARY 2026
→ Training Webinar: Feb. TBD, 2026
MARCH 2026
→ Training Webinar, Final Steps for Success: March 10, 2026
APRIL 2026
→ Giving Challenge: April 15-16, 2026
→ Post-Giving Challenge Prize Applications Open: April 17, 2026
→ Training Webinar, Donor Stewardship After the Giving Challenge: April 28, 2026
→ Deadline, Post-Giving Challenge Prize Applications: April 27, 2026 (5 p.m.)
MAY 2026
JUNE 2026
JULY 2026
→ Giving Challenge checks mailed to nonprofits from the Community Foundation: July 1, 2026
Questions about the dates above? Contact GivingChallenge@CFSarasota.org or chat with the GiveGab/Bonterra Customer Success team using the Blue Chat Bubble to learn more!
*To be eligible to participate in the 2026 Giving Challenge, an organization must be a 501(c)(3) public charity that serves in Sarasota, Manatee, Charlotte, and/or DeSoto county and have an updated profile in The Giving Partner by noon EST Dec. 31, 2025. The deadline for applying for a NEW profile in The Giving Partner is Oct 31, 2025. Deadline dates for applying for and updating existing profiles in The Giving Partner for 2026 Giving Challenge eligibility are included above. For questions related to The Giving Partner, contact Nonprofits@CFSarasota.org.