Texoma Gives is coming up! We are so excited. Check out this article talking about what it is and how you can participate.
Times Record News
Claire Kowalick
Following a very successful effort last year, coordinators are gearing up for the second annual Texoma Gives Day.
The Wichita Falls Area Community Foundation, The Priddy Foundation, Bryant Edwards Foundation, J.S. Bridwell Foundation and The Fain Foundation are hosting the online-only event. WFACF has secured prize money for nonprofit groups meeting benchmark goals throughout the day.
Texoma Gives Day was designed as a single day where nonprofits could showcase what they do and the public could show their support.
There are 196 nonprofits signed up for this year’s event with 18 from counties in North Texas and six counties from Southern Oklahoma. Many area businesses have signed on to sponsor prizes awarded to groups throughout the day. Participating nonprofits can be from Texas counties: Archer, Baylor, Clay Childress, Cottle, Foard, Hardeman, Haskell, Jack, King, Knox, Montague, Stonewall, Throckmorton, Wichita, Wilbarger, Wise and Young. Oklahoma counties that can be involved are Comanche, Cotton, Jackson, Jefferson, Stephens, and Tillman.
The event will be 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Sept. 7. Advance giving will begin Aug. 14. Anyone can donate from a computer or secure mobile device. Many local nonprofits will have laptops set up for in-person giving and the WFACF, located at 2405 Kell Blvd., will be open with volunteers available to assist donors if needed.
During the 2016 Texoma Gives Day, 146 groups participated earning $750,000 through 4,882 donations. About 38 percent were first time donors.
Teresa Caves, WFACF director, says online giving, like online banking, is the way of the future. Many nonprofits say creating ways for people to donate online greatly increases dollars coming in. People enjoy giving locally and Texoma Gives is a perfect opportunity for residents to learn about all the great nonprofit groups in the area.
Prizes for participating nonprofits include first gift for Texas and Oklahoma groups ($750); most unique donors during periods of time throughout the day ($2,500); prizes for largest donations during certain parts of the day; group with best marketing campaign, and more.
Caves says the goal for 2017 was to have 200 nonprofits or more participate and raise $1 million. There are 126 participants from the previous Texoma Gives returning and a host of new nonprofits.
“This is a no-cost opportunity to raise dollars, raise, awareness and raise new donors. Imagine if everyone who lived, worked and played in this region we call Texoma donated on this day to one or many nonprofits. What a great day,” she said.
More information about Texoma Gives can be found at their website, www.texomagives.org. You can also “like” the event on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Hashtags for the event include #texomagives, #urgreat.