NEPA Gives is the largest single day of philanthropy in Northeast Pennsylvania, designed to unite the community in support of local nonprofit organizations. For 24 hours, residents and supporters from across the region come together to donate to causes that matter most to them, ranging from animal shelters and food banks to arts organizations and environmental groups. This event provides a streamlined way for individuals to make a significant impact on the local landscape by pooling resources and taking advantage of matching gift opportunities.
Understanding the NEPA Gives Event
NEPA Gives is a 24-hour online giving marathon. It is primarily organized by the Scranton Area Community Foundation in partnership with several other regional foundations and community leaders. The goal is simple: to raise as much money as possible for local nonprofits while raising awareness about the vital work these organizations do every day.
The event typically takes place over a full day, starting at midnight and ending at 11:59 PM. During this window, a centralized online platform serves as the hub for all donations. This allows donors to search for specific charities, learn about their missions, and contribute securely through a single portal. By concentrating giving into a short period, the event creates a sense of urgency and community excitement that often leads to record-breaking results.
How to Participate as a Donor
Participating in this giving day is straightforward and designed to be accessible for everyone, regardless of the amount they are able to contribute. Most organizations accept donations starting as low as $10, making it easy for anyone to become a philanthropist.
Find a Cause You Care About
The first step is to identify which organizations you want to support. The official giving platform features a comprehensive directory of participating nonprofits. You can search by name, or you can browse by category if you aren’t sure where to start. Categories often include education, health and wellness, animal welfare, human services, and the environment.
Make Your Secure Donation
Once you have selected your charities, you can add them to your “gift basket” on the website. This allows you to support multiple organizations in a single checkout process. All donations are tax-deductible, and you will receive an immediate email receipt for your records. The platform uses secure processing to ensure your financial information remains protected throughout the transaction.
Follow the Leaderboard
One of the most exciting aspects of the event is the live leaderboard. Throughout the 24-hour period, you can watch in real-time as the total amount raised increases. You can also see which organizations are leading in terms of total dollars raised or the highest number of unique donors. This gamified approach encourages healthy competition among nonprofits and keeps donors engaged throughout the day.
The Power of Matching Gifts and Prizes
What makes giving during this specific event more impactful than giving at other times of the year is the availability of matching funds and incentive prizes. Many sponsors and foundations provide “stretch funds” that are distributed among participating nonprofits based on their performance during the event.
Incentive Prizes
Throughout the 24 hours, various prizes are awarded to organizations. These might include bonuses for the organization that receives the first donation of the day, the most donations during a specific “power hour,” or the most unique donors overall. When you give during these specific windows, your small donation could help your favorite charity win an additional cash prize worth hundreds or even thousands of dollars.
Matching Challenges
Many nonprofits secure their own matching gifts from private donors or local businesses specifically for this event. For example, a local business might pledge to match every dollar donated to a specific animal shelter up to $1,000. This effectively doubles the value of your contribution, allowing your money to go twice as far in helping the community.
Why Local Giving Matters in Northeast Pennsylvania
Northeast Pennsylvania is a region built on close-knit communities and a tradition of helping neighbors. Local nonprofits often operate on lean budgets and rely heavily on community support to provide essential services. When you give locally, the benefits remain within the region, supporting the people, parks, and programs that you interact with every day.
- Direct Impact: Your funds stay in your county, helping to fix local problems and improve the quality of life for your neighbors.
- Strengthening Nonprofits: These events help smaller organizations gain visibility they might not otherwise have, helping them grow their donor base for the long term.
- Community Pride: Seeing the region come together to raise millions of dollars fosters a sense of collective achievement and regional pride.
How Nonprofits Can Prepare
If you represent a nonprofit organization in Northeast Pennsylvania, participating in this event requires some advance planning. To be successful, organizations should register early and begin their marketing efforts weeks before the actual giving day.
Building a “peer-to-peer” fundraising team is one of the most effective strategies. This involves asking your most dedicated volunteers or board members to create their own mini-fundraising pages to share with their personal networks. This expands the reach of the organization far beyond its existing mailing list. Additionally, creating compelling stories and videos about the organization’s impact can help potential donors feel a stronger emotional connection to the cause.
Ways to Help Beyond Financial Donations
While the primary focus of the day is raising funds, there are many other ways to support the event if you are unable to make a financial contribution. Spreading the word is just as important as the money raised.
- Share on Social Media: Use your personal profiles to highlight the charities you love. Sharing a post or a link can introduce a nonprofit to a new audience.
- Volunteer Your Time: Many organizations need extra help on the giving day to manage their communications or host small local events.
- Advocate: Talk to your friends, family, and coworkers about the importance of the event. Encouraging others to participate can lead to a significant increase in total donations.
Planning for the Next Event
To make the most of the next giving day, it is helpful to plan your contributions in advance. You might consider setting aside a small amount each month leading up to the event so that you can make a larger impact when the 24-hour window opens. You can also sign up for email newsletters from the Scranton Area Community Foundation or your favorite local charities to stay informed about the specific dates and prize structures for the upcoming year.
By participating in this regional movement, you are joining thousands of other residents in a shared effort to make Northeast Pennsylvania a better place to live, work, and grow. Whether you give $10 or $1,000, your contribution plays a vital role in the success of the local nonprofit sector.
Supporting local causes is a powerful way to ensure that the services and programs our community relies on continue to thrive. We encourage you to explore the various organizations participating in the next event and find a mission that resonates with you. For more information on how to improve your local community or manage your charitable giving, explore our other articles on community involvement and financial planning.