The state of Delaware has thousands of nonprofit organizations, each of them supporting a cause that’s special to the hearts of many. Some, like Faithful Friends Animal Society and A Buddy for Life, Inc., care for and protect the animals in our state. Others, like the Delaware Museum of Nature and Science and Newark Center for Creative Learning School, bolster education and sustainability. The Delaware Nature Society teaches about our planet, the Food Bank of Delaware feeds the hungry, and the Kalmar Nyckel Foundation educates about the history of Delaware. Other organizations, like the Howard Pyle Studio and the Delaware Art Museum, preserve the artistic legacy of the First State. When it comes to passionate nonprofit groups and causes to support, Delawareans are spoiled for choice.
Good news: Do More 24 Delaware, the biggest annual day of giving in the state, is on the horizon. It will take place from Thursday, March 6 at 6 p.m. to Friday, March 7 at 6 p.m. You can donate to your favorite nonprofits and help advocate for their missions during the massive fundraising event. Even if you donate just $5, your contribution could make an organization eligible for prizes, awards, matching bonuses, and more. There will be more than $350,000 in prize money awarded to the nonprofits throughout the 24 hours. The Delaware Division of the Arts also contributes matching grant opportunities for the organizations that it supports.
It’s easy to find your favorite nonprofit and donate to it on the Do More 24 Delaware website. Go to the search bar and type in the name of your favorite cause, or take a look through the leaderboards. The leaderboards are tiered based on size, so no small nonprofits are left out of the fundraising fun. On the day of Do More 24, there will be hourly prizes given out to the nonprofits based on varying factors.
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The impact of this annual day of giving is priceless for many Delaware organizations. “Do More 24 builds excitement and energy around our organization,” explains Justine Hendricks, communications coordinator at the Delaware Historical Society. “It helps us build our donor base and gives our community members the opportunity to express their enthusiasm for the important work we do.”
Mark Carter, the director of development for the Delaware Center for the Inland Bays, agrees. “Do More 24 has allowed the center to connect with new audiences,” he says. The fundraising initiative has connected the organization with donors and collaborators alike. “We have teamed up with businesses over the years to raise funds and spread the word during Do More 24, so it’s been a great way to build community also.”
This year, for example, the center is teaming up with Crooked Hammock Brewery in Lewes for a Hammock Takeover from 4-9 p.m. on Thursday, March 6. Folks can support the Delaware Center for the Inland Bays by enjoying a few drinks at Crooked Hammock, and the brewery will donate a portion of proceeds from the evening to the organization. “The Inland Bays is so lucky to have such great support from our community,” Carter adds.
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Some Delaware organizations rely on Do More 24 for nearly their entire budget. As Lena Mucchetti, artistic director of the New Light Theatre, says, “We’re a very, very small nonprofit with a very small base, and it doesn’t feel like we’re out of the running for any of those incentives or any of the prizes because they’ve tiered the nonprofit structure…It makes you feel like everybody’s got a shot here.”
“This is the state’s biggest giving day event that mobilizes thousands of Delawareans to support nonprofits throughout the state. For many of these nonprofits, this day gives them their budget for the year while for others it helps kickstart their annual individual giving campaign.”
The impact of Do More 24 goes beyond financial gain for these nonprofits. It’s also empowering to the donor: “It spurs people to realize that their contribution matters…Those things that people think are drops in the bucket actually have huge ripple effects through an event like Do More 24,” says Mucchetti. In addition, the day of giving generates advocacy for and education about the causes that these nonprofits support. For places like the New Light Theatre, this day is a chance to spread the word and gather meaningful supporters.
“This is the state’s biggest giving day event that mobilizes thousands of Delawareans to support nonprofits throughout the state,” says Charlie Vincent, executive director of Spur Impact, which organizes the Do More 24 event. “For many of these nonprofits, this day gives them their budget for the year while for others it helps kickstart their annual individual giving campaign.”
Spur Impact is a nonprofit focused on professional development and community involvement. Another initiative of Spur Impact is the Delaware Gives platform, which is offered to nonprofits for use year round. For more information, visit degives.org.
To donate on the day of giving, or to set an email reminder for yourself, visit domore24delaware.org.
