Through 24 hours of giving, the Greater Manhattan Community Foundation was able to raise more than $1.7 million for 90 area nonprofit organizations through the 12th annual Grow Green Match Day.
GMCF President and CEO Vern Henricks says it was a good day of charitable giving and enough to surpass last year’s total of $1.4 million.
“This has been a great day. These 90 nonprofits have got funds that they’ve never had before. It’s just such a generous community giving day and we’re very thankful that so much support came out for them,” he said.
Donations were matched up to 50% percent through the Howe Family Foundation. Henricks noted that GMCF changed some of its outreach to donors, including a new fundraising station at Meadowlark.
“It certainly changed the convenience for our Meadowlark families and friends to not have to come down here (to Colony Square) because obviously many of them are not driving,” he said.
Henricks says some of Manhattan’s most vulnerable populations will be impacted the most.
“Be Able is doing well, Manhattan Emergency Shelter and Shepherd’s Crossing always show well. The money will be spent very wisely for our friends and neighbors that have the greatest financial needs,” he said.
Be Able raised the most money at over $98,000. Flint Hills Breadbasket also raised over $90,000. Shepherd’s Crossing raised over $87,000.
Final official totals are pending as funds that were mailed in still need to be tallied. You can view the full leaderboard at growgreenmanhattan.com.