Foundation hosts Day of Giving today
Washington County Community Foundation is holding its third annual Day of Giving today for the benefit of 109 charities that provide services in Washington County.
From 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., each donation made to local charities on the www.wccfgives.org website, or by check, will be increased by a percentage of a bonus pool, estimated to be at least $100,000.
The minimum contribution is only $25, but donors can give as much and to as many charities as they wish.
“Charities operate on such a tight budget,” said Betsie Trew, WCCF president and chief executive officer. “Gifts are absolutely making a difference.”
WCCF is a nonprofit initiated to encourage charitable giving. The foundation has awarded more than $1 million in grants to local charities through the event.
The foundation is hoping to surpass the $530,000 raised during the 12-hour campaign last year.
A change in the bonus-pool distribution may help some smaller charities increase their profits. To maximize the growth potential of collected donations, the WCCF board of trustees voted to distribute 50 percent of the bonus pool by the number of donors, and 50 percent by the total dollar amount. In the past two years, the $100,000 bonus-pool distribution was based only on the total amount of money raised.
“We wanted to level the playing field,” Trew said.
After looking at donating trends for the past two events, the foundation found certain charities have received a lot of smaller donations while some charities benefit from bigger $5,000 or $10,000 donations.
“This way, smaller charities can end up getting a pretty big amount,” Trew said.
Last year, Washington City Mission, United Way of Central Washington County and Pennsylvania Trolley Museum came out on top, with $51,364, $36,094 and $34,264 in donations, respectively.
While some don’t generate that level of donations, many charities benefit by what they do receive.
Last year, Burgettstown Community Library was given $1,346. Community programs like tai chi, book clubs and story hour are funded by donations. Kristin Frazier, library director, said many donors appreciate having the option to give online and by check.
Check contributions must be received at the WCCF office, 1253 Route 519, Eighty Four, by 8 p.m. Wednesday to be eligible for the bonus pool. While the staff will be there until 8 p.m., Trew said “the earlier, the better” for hand-delivered checks.
“I am so optimistic,” Trew said. “We’re going to have a wonderful day.”
For information or to donate, visit www.wccfgives.org.