This area is blessed with many fine and effective nonprofit organizations that do a wide variety of beneficial things for the people of this area, but in order to do this, they require monetary support. One of the best and most effective ways they have to raise the money to do this good work is through the annual Raise the Region® fundraiser through the auspices of the First Community Foundation of Pennsylvania, which gives donors the opportunity to target their monetary gifts to specific organizations. This year’s 30-hour Raise the Region® fundraiser takes place on March 13 and 14.
Raise the Region® began in 2013. In its inaugural year, 161 nonprofits participated, raising a total of $878,526. In 2013, the concept of a day of giving was an emerging trend among community foundations across the country. FCFP partnered with the Blaise Alexander Family Dealerships to create Raise the Region®. To date, the program has raised $16.79 million.
Last year, Raise the Region® raised $2,320,586, supporting 333 nonprofit organizations. Over 15,300 donors made gifts during RTR.
Every gift made during RTR will be increased by a portion of Blaise Alexander Family Dealerships’ Stretch Funds. Nonprofits will also compete for approximately $125,000 in prize money.
The day is a celebration of philanthropy, with over 345 nonprofits serving Columbia, Lycoming, Montour, Northumberland, Snyder, Tioga, and Union counties participating in Raise the Region® 2024.
As an initiative of the First Community Foundation Partnership of Pennsylvania, the aim of Raise the Region® is to promote the work and support of local nonprofits in our region. This event will increase individual funding to nonprofits through a concentrated, online, stretching gift campaign that reaches each community supported by a participating nonprofit. Raise the Region® is a strategic and unified effort to meet the increasing needs of our region that are being addressed through the work of local nonprofits.
The stretching donation from Blaise Alexander Family Dealerships and the cash prizes will inspire charitable giving and it demonstrates the power of giving locally to create powerful communities throughout the region. By participating in this event, local nonprofits can increase their online presence, generate greater awareness for their organization while raising additional support in the first quarter of the year.
Raise the Region® begins on Wednesday, March 13th at 6:00 p.m. The 30-hour program will continue until midnight on Thursday, March 14th. Gifts are made with a major credit card at http://www.raisetheregion.org.
Every nonprofit creates and builds its own page. Donors have the opportunity to learn about each nonprofit through their individual pages. Donors can also search for nonprofits by name or category.
Officials at the First Community Foundation of Pennsylvania are very enthusiastic about Raise the Region® and what it can mean to nonprofit organizations that participate.
“Over the course of the past 11 years, Raise the Region® has facilitated more than $16.79 million in charitable donations to hundreds of nonprofits. FCFP is proud to partner with Blaise Alexander Family Dealerships and other loyal sponsors to celebrate the tremendous spirit of giving in northcentral Pennsylvania,” Jennifer Wilson, President and CEO of FCFP, told Webb Weekly.
“Raise the Region® builds a sense of community. It has become a primary fundraiser for many organizations over the years, and donors appreciate the opportunity to help a variety of local nonprofits throughout the region. It is a true celebration of local philanthropy,” stated Erin Ruhl, Director of Community Engagement for FCFP.
FCFP works to improve the quality of life in North Central Pennsylvania through community leadership, the promotion of philanthropy, the strengthening of nonprofit impact, and the perpetual stewardship of charitable assets.
Which organizations can participate? Organizations that are verified 501(c)(3) charitable nonprofits that are headquartered or provide services in north central Pennsylvania region. They must have a physical address in one of the following counties: Columbia, Lycoming, Montour, Northumberland, Snyder, Tioga, or Union. Organizations must agree to use all money raised during Raise the Region® — donations, stretch funds and prize money — to benefit Columbia, Lycoming, Montour, Northumberland, Snyder, Tigoga, and/or Union counties through non-sectarian programs.
Anyone may donate. Donations through the Raise the Region® online portal to charitable nonprofit organizations are tax-deductible and cannot be refunded. Contributions may be made via credit and debit card only.
For more information on the programs and services offered by the Community Foundation or to learn more about ways to make a difference in your community, contact the Community Foundation office at 570-321-1500.
