After raising more than double its goal in 2019, a consortium of philanthropy groups will again come together for a 24-hour online fundraiser at a time when local nonprofits need financial help more than ever.
Long Beach Gives began last year, led by the Josephine S. Gumbiner Foundation and its director Julie Meenan, among other groups including The Nonprofit Partnership. The day-long fundraiser was an overwhelming success: the campaign raised $822,00 for 93 nonprofits—far above its goal of raising $350,000 for 75 groups.
This year organizers have set their sights even higher, particularly as many nonprofits and the people they serve are struggling in the midst of a pandemic. Long Beach Gives hopes to raise $1 million for more than 150 participating groups.
Nonprofits participating include Leadership Long Beach, which provides a number of training opportunities for youth and adults; Rancho Los Cerritos, which provides educational experiences and preserves a 175-year-old adobe home and historic gardens; Sparky and the Gang Animal Rescue; Musical Theater West and many others.
“Nonprofits are critical to the community now more than ever—providing net services, finding new ways to interact with our youth, advocating for positive change, ensuring our mental health and access to the arts remain as we navigate a new normal,” organizers said in a statement. “We want to ensure they endure so that our communities can count on them in the months and years to come.”
The day-long online event is planned for Thursday, Sept. 24.
The organization is asking all in the community to help spread the word, including setting up personal fundraising pages and asking friends to join.
“By supporting a peer to peer page in support of your favorite charity, you will be able to lend your voice, resources and energy to advance the mission of that organization,” Niko Galvez, campaign director for Long Beach Gives, said in a statement.
To get involved, set up a personal fundraiser or become a business sponsor, visit www.longbeachgives.org.