Outpouring of support for NH nonprofits during NH Gives

NH Gives, a 24-hour giving event created by the New Hampshire Center for Nonprofits, broke all its previous records in the last 24 hours, raising more in 2020 than it had in the last four years combined. A total of $3,256,784 was raised in 24 hours — including $1 million in the first eight minutes of the event.

“This unbelievable outpouring of support from every corner of New Hampshire just shows what’s possible when we come together,” said Kathleen Reardon, CEO of the NH Center for Nonprofits. “Even though NH Gives is only 24 hours, these donations will have a lasting impact on our communities and the nonprofits that work so hard to make our lives better.”

Almost 500 nonprofits from all over the state participated in the event, and a record-breaking 13,428 people signed on to NHGives.org to give between 6 p.m. on Tuesday and 6 p.m. on Wednesday. Prior to this week’s event, NH Gives had raised a total of $1.5 million since its inception in 2016.

“I looked at the totals in the first 10 minutes of the event and I actually shouted with joy,” said Dick Ober, president and CEO of the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation, which has been the lead sponsor of NH Gives since 2016. “This continues to be a really, really challenging time for nonprofits, who are having to adapt and work under extremely challenging conditions to continue to deliver on their critical missions. And the people of New Hampshire were saying: ‘We get it! Thank you for what you do! We are here for you.’”

Matching funds helped to spur donations: A $250,000 match, made possible by the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation and its Thomas W. Haas Fund and John F. Swope Fund, meant that every gift of up to $1,000 was matched 1:1 for the first $250,000 given. The Foundation’s Bio X Cell Fund provided an additional $10,000 match for participating Upper Valley nonprofits. An additional $245,982 in matching funds from generous donors to individual organizations brought in additional donations to boost fundraising totals.

A record-high 488 nonprofits participated in NH Gives this year.

Friends in Action, a Durham nonprofit that helps people with disabilities create meaningful relationships and lasting connections, raised $108,398 during the 24-hour event. This was the first time the organization had participated in NH Gives.

“I am on Cloud Nine today,” said Executive Director Heidi Chase on Wednesday. The organization had had to cancel fundraisers and move all of its programming online because of the ongoing public-health crisis. After its successful NH Gives campaign, Chase, said, “I’m feeling like we’re going to make it through this COVID-19 crisis and come out strong on the other end.”

NHGives.org is an easy-to-use platform where people can find causes they care about, donate securely, and become fundraising champions. Participating nonprofits also receive training and marketing support in the months leading up to the event.

There is still time to boost the 2020 totals and continue the momentum for New Hampshire nonprofits and communities: Although the 24-hour prize period has ended, NHGives.org will remain open for donations until midnight on June 12.

NH Gives is an initiative of the NH Center for Nonprofits with support from lead sponsor New Hampshire Charitable Foundation and communications partner Brown & Company Design. Additional sponsors include C&S Wholesale Grocers, Chase Bank, People’s United Bank, Comcast NBC Universal, Merrimack County Savings Bank, Meredith Village Savings Bank, Franklin Pierce University, Endowment for Health and NH Tech Alliance as well as media sponsors WMUR, the Union Leader, Concord Community TV, NH Business Review and the Granite State News Collaborative.

UPDATE: When the NH Gives portal closed for 2020 at midnight on June 12, a total of 14,371 people had donated $3,372,205 to New Hampshire nonprofits.

The NH Center for Nonprofits is a statewide nonprofit association dedicated to advancing the impact and visibility of the nonprofit sector and supporting the growth of nonprofits to reach their mission. Its services included leadership development programs, organizational consultation and assessment, online resource sharing and advocacy. To find out more about the Center, visit www.nhnonprofits.org or call (603) 225-1947.