Local Solutions Yield Lasting Impact – Local Nonprofits Solving Community Challenges are Raising Funds During a 24-Hour Giving Event Beginning May 30

Forefront has announced #ILGiveCommunity, a 24-hour online fundraising event to empower individuals to donate to causes that matter to them through local nonprofits who are tackling our communities’ most critical issues. #ILGiveCommunity starts on May 30th at 6PM and ends May 31st at 6PM.

#ILGiveCommunity encourages people to give where they live as a means of strengthening the work being done in their own communities. Equally important for participating nonprofits is their ability to acquire new individual supporters, which represent the lifeblood of an organization these days.

Forefront’s #ILGive campaigns represent the largest and most successful giving day campaigns in the state. Last November, Illinois nonprofits raised a collective $11.3 million on #ILGive for Giving Tuesday.

Twenty five percent of the #ILGive contributions came from first-time donors. #ILGiveCommunity is a new giving day developed by Forefront to give nonprofits the opportunity to reach potential new donors and provides the type of visibility that only a statewide effort of this type can generate – especially during a slow period on the fundraising calendar.

Per Giving USA’s 2016 report, 71% of donations made in 2015 came from individuals. While government funding to Illinois nonprofits is greatly diminished or non-existent and corporate donations are shrinking, increasingly organizations must rely on individual philanthropists to fund their missions. It is widely known that securing a first-time donor requires more staff time and effort as well additional costs. Once secured, the organization stewards the relationship in the hopes of encouraging larger gifts in the future. For nonprofits to survive, organizations desperately need new donors.

#ILGiveCommunity advocates for the support of community organizations by encouraging Illinois residents to donate to local nonprofits. Any verified 501(c)(3) charitable nonprofit that is headquartered or provides services in Illinois is eligible to join the #ILGiveCommunity campaign, regardless of Forefront membership status. Using the efficient national GiveGab.com fundraising platform, Forefront provides participating nonprofits with a digital toolkit, webinars and additional resources to launch an effective, locally-driven fundraising campaign.

"#ILGiveCommunity is a day dedicated to bringing nonprofits, businesses, foundations, and all Illinoisans together to celebrate generosity and to give. It’s a day to unite Illinois communities and raise visibility and awareness about nonprofits and the impact they have in our communities,” said Eric Weinheimer, President + CEO of Forefront. “Together, our efforts can help educate children, shelter the homeless, enrich the arts, and address a host of other critical issues to create healthier and more vibrant communities throughout Illinois. Together, we can make our communities, our country, and our world a better place for everyone.”

Four local community foundations are collaborating with Forefront on #ILGiveCommunity, including The Community Foundation of Macon County, The Community Foundation of East Central Illinois, Lake County Community Foundation, and The Community Foundation for the Land of Lincoln.

Between 6pm on May 30 and 6pm on May 31, visit ILGive.com to find over 200 other nonprofits that are doing all kinds of good across Illinois. Search for organizations who are doing incredible work in your community and learn more about their impact through their profile page. Search for your city or search for a cause that matters to you and give!

No matter who you are, where you live, what your income is, or how old (or young) you are, #ILGiveCommunity reminds us that everyone has something to give. 

Thank you in advance for your support! Please help us spread the movement by sharing how you’re giving with your friends, family, co-workers, neighbors by using #ILGiveCommunity on social media and sharing ILGive.com with your networks.  Together, we can create the real, lasting change we all want for our community.