Go Big Give concludes with a record-breaking year

GRAND ISLAND, Neb. (KSNB) - The Heartland United Way and Greater Grand Island Community Foundation hosted the 9th annual Go Big GIVE event on Thursday, May 5 with a record-breaking total by raising over $1,459,596 with 5,261 donations for 151 local nonprofits in Hall, Hamilton, Howard and Merrick Counties.

The inaugural Go Big GIVE day raised $251,984 in 2014 and had 1,339 donations with 66 nonprofits participating. Collectively, over 9 years, Go Big GIVE has raised a total of $5,961,399 plus this year $1,459,596 which has impacted over 220 nonprofit organizations in the four county area. Sponsors have contributed over $830,182 in match pool funds and incentives.

Generous sponsor support provided over $137,750 in match pool funds and incentive prizes this year. Lead sponsors were Hornady, Eihusen Foundation, Associated Staffing, Greater Grand Island Community Foundation, and Heartland United Way along with the Bud & Gloria Wolbach Foundation and JBS.

Donations for the nonprofit organizations grew with the match pool funds and friendly competitions for incentive prizes. Prize winners awarded to date are listed online at www.GoBigGIVE.org under “Leaderboards.”

Additional prizes will be awarded when totals are finalized.

Go Big GIVE is a 24-hour online giving event that encourages everyone to be a philanthropist by simply visiting GoBigGIVE.org and making a gift to multiple nonprofits. Donors also had the opportunity to support them all with a single gift.

Additional goals for the one day giving event were to: help increase the visibility for local organizations; increase use of social media; attract new donors through the use of an online giving platform; and to educate and engage more people to volunteer or be involved in supporting nonprofits year-round.

The Heartland United Way and Greater Grand Island Community Foundation wish to express their deep gratitude to the generous sponsors and donors for their incredible support for Go Big GIVE and the 151 participating nonprofit organizations! Thank you for a goal-breaking day of giving.