The Community Foundation of the New River Valley (CFNRV) is holding its 6th Annual GiveBigNRV Giving Day on Wednesday, April 24, 2019, to help organizations both big and small raise money in the New River Valley and draw attention to the important work nonprofits do in the region. Donors visit the website – cfnrv.givebig.org – to make a secure, online gift to their favorite nonprofit organization during the 24 hour giving period.
GiveBigNRV has grown from small beginnings in 2014 into a major regional event, bringing in more than 2,000 donors and over $300,000 in 2018. In the five years of the program to date, GiveBigNRV has raised almost $1,000,000 for nonprofits across the region. This year, CFNRV has set goals to increase unique donors to 2,500 and raise $300,000 for participating organizations. Over 100 nonprofits across the region typically participate, and donations of any size – from small gifts of $10 to large gifts over $1,000 – are welcome.
Ed Lawhorn, President of the CFNRV Board of Directors and NRV Market Executive for Union Bank & Trust, sees GiveBigNRV as an opportunity to make an investment in the region that will provide decades of returns. Lawson said, “GiveBigNRV is an important chance to show our support as a community for the nonprofits that are doing good work in serving the New River Valley. Whether you have a particular nonprofit in mind or choose to support the collaborative efforts of the Community Foundation’s Fund for the NRV, there are many groups that rely upon the donations our community makes on the giving day. It’s a unique opportunity to encourage charitable giving and invest back into the NRV where there is the most need.”
To further encourage broad participation among nonprofits, CFNRV will be giving out $10,000 in incentive grants. Grants will be given to one small and one large nonprofit that raise the most money in their category, to organizations that achieve 100% board member participation, and to the nonprofit that creates CFNRV’s favorite GiveBigNRV video. Also, five regional grants will be awarded to nonprofits with the most unduplicated donors in the counties of Floyd, Giles, Montgomery, Pulaski, and the City of Radford.
These incentive grants are made possible with generous support from business sponsors, including the 2019 Platinum Sponsor. Plott & French Financial Advisors. Chris French, a Chartered Financial Analyst with the firm, asks that everyone provide support where they are able. French explains, “The New River Valley is a special place to live, but there are pressing needs in our communities. We are fortunate that there are many organizations that are raising money to help address these needs. As a local firm, Plott & French Financial Advisors also wants to do its part, and is proud to sponsor the Community Foundation and its GiveBigNRV initiative. Please do whatever you can to help.”