Give DeKalb County Day 2021 is almost here, and mail-in donations have started

Give DeKalb County Day will raise funds for 131 local nonprofits May 6

SYCAMORE - Give DeKalb County Day, the year’s largest annual fundraiser benefiting over 130 nonprofits this year, is just weeks away, though mail-in donations have begun.

It’s the eighth annual Give DeKalb County campaign organized by the DeKalb County Community Foundation, a 24-hour day of giving, which last year , just three months into the COVID-19 pandemic, raised over $1.1 million for 113 organizations by over 2,600 donors from across the world.

“I think Give DeKalb County has seen enormous donor generosity since it started in 2014, and every year it’s grown,” said Ben Bingle, director of the DeKalb County Nonprofit Partnership with the community foundation. “Kast year we had these extraordinary challenges, organizations were stretched thin, challenged in so many different ways and our donors stepped up in a big way. Everyone wanted to do their part to contribute. It was inspiring to see.”

For the 2021 giving day, 131 local nonprofits and funds will raise money for their programs and initiatives which directly benefit DeKalb County residents. From midnight to midnight on May 6, donors will have the chance to do their part to benefit organizations which remained open and able, despite the trials and tribulations of 2020.

“2020 was a very challenging year for everyone, and nonprofits are no exception,” Bingle said. “They stepped up to meet that moment but those financial challenges still remain, and over 80% of local nonprofit organizations have had to cancel a fundraising event in the past year due to COVID-19. And that’s contributed to the financial challenge, so Give DeKalb County is one way where we can all rally behind these organizations and support their great work.”

For the second year in a row, walk-in donations will not be an option due to safety measures put in place because of COVID-19, however there remain several ways to show your love for your favorite nonprofits.

Ways to give

Mail-in

Mail-in donations began Thursday, April 22 and as long as they’re postmarked by May 6, 2021, they can be counted toward the day, Bingle said.

To send a mail-in donation, you will need to download, print and fill out a form available at www.givedekalbcounty.org, and then send that and your check, designating your nonprofit of choice, to the DeKalb County Community Foundation at 475 DeKalb Avenue in Sycamore.

“There’s a cause or organization there for every type of donor interest,” Bingle said of the 131 participating nonprofits. “There’s such great diversity in the nonprofit sector, and I think everybody can find something to support.”

On the day

Day-of donations are also an option, and donors are invited to head to www.GiveDeKalbCounty.org from midnight to midnight on May 6. They’ll be able to see the full list of participating organizations, choose which one to give or read about each nonprofit’s mission, and then make an informed gift.

Donations made on the day will be online only, or can be mail-in as long as the letter is postmarked by May 6. No walk-ins will be allowed.

Bonus pool

There’s also the Bonus Pool, Bingle said, which in years’ past has helped boost the overall funds raised in matched donations.

“The Bonus Pool ensures that every dollar given during Give DeKalb County goes a little further,” Bingle said. “The pool boosts every donation made. If an organization received 2% of the grand total [raised], they get 2% of the bonus poool. It’s a proportional match, and we’re thankful to our community partners that have given to that pool so far.”

The Bonus Pool for the 2021 Give DeKalb County Day is also already collecting funds, and over $100,000 has been raised so far, Bingle said.

If you’ve like to contribute to the Bonus Pool, there will be an option on the day May 6 to select the Bonus Pool as the designee for your donation, or you can tackle on an additional donation to the pool while making a gift to a nonprofit.


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