Give to Grow

SVCF'S NONPROFIT MATCH DAY EXCEEDS EXPECTATIONS

This past April, Solomon Valley Community Foundation launched its newest initiative Give to Grow, a one-day matching incentive designed to support capacity and endowment growth for area nonprofits. 

On April 24th, SVCF invited donors to the Beloit Municipal Building for a day of giving. 20 non-profit booths were set up vendor style and ready to share about their mission. The event ran from 11 am - 7 pm and included hourly giveaways, live music, onsite radio, food trucks, and more. 

Donors could select organization endowment(s) to support and SVCF would match those gifts proportionally, up to 100% from their matching pool. “The overwhelming support and generosity of our community continues to amaze me,” said Julia Rabe, SVCF Executive Director. “Originally our board set aside $25,000 in matching funds, however, local donations poured in so quickly that our board decided to add in an additional $5,000 to help increase the organization’s match opportunity.”

Donor contributions were added to the nonprofit’s endowed fund within the community foundation while matching dollars could be taken as either a cash grant or deposited into the organization’s fund within SVCF. 

Nonprofits also had the opportunity to earn additional dollars from hourly drawings that were 

sponsored by area businesses. Upon entering the event donors were given a Give to Grow passport. For each organization booth they visited a space on their passport was crossed off. If a donor visited 5 or more organization booths their name and the nonprofit of their choice were entered for a chance to win $100 in an hourly drawing. 

In addition to the hourly giveaways, organizations had the opportunity to visit with 5th graders from across the county.  With the support of two generous donors, each student was provided with $20 in Give to Grow money so they could participate in the giving. “I think it was a great experience for the 5th graders and will be a good ‘growing’ experience for them in years to come,” said Alice Thompson, Heart Choices Executive Director. “One little guy came up to me after making his rounds and said, ‘I’m giving all my money to you!’ It made me chuckle!”

“I couldn’t be happier,” said Rabe. “I look forward to growing the event and continuing to offer opportunities for our nonprofits to build endowments that will be able to support their missions for years and years to come.” 

For more information on how you can get involved with Give to Grow contact Julia Rabe at julia@solomonvalleycf.org