Annual Campaign Total Tops $529,000
During one of the most difficult months in our nation’s history, the Partnership for Better Health’s 2020 Match Madness campaign exceeded expectations by attracting more individual donations than in any previous year.
Match Madness is a collaborative campaign that supports 31 area nonprofits in raising core operating and program funds that remain flexible to meet evolving needs. This year’s campaign theme was Caring through Generosity.
As of March 31, the campaign drew in $529,414, reflecting a 46 percent increase in total funds raised by local groups, with 1118 contributions.
“It was a month of incredible generosity,” said Becca Raley, Executive Director at Partnership for Better Health. “The campaign is driven by local community members who understand the vital work of our lean nonprofit sector. The novel coronavirus seemed to have a multiplying effect, with residents looking for ways to help compelling service organizations meet rapidly escalating needs.”
Now in its fifth year, the Match Madness Campaign focuses on small nonprofits with annual budgets of under $5 million. This year’s top five fundraisers were New Life Community, The Salvation Army, Maranatha, Project SHARE and Community CARES.
The Partnership’s matching stretch pool grew to $80,000, with the generous support of M&T Bank and The Josiah W. and Bessie H. Kline Foundation. For each organization, the first $1000 raised is matched dollar-for-dollar, meaning that even small gifts receive a large financial boost. The remaining matching funds are shared proportionately across the groups, with 100 percent of funds raised, plus the match, going back into the community.
“We are especially appreciative of the generosity from our funding partners at M&T Bank and the Josiah W. and Bessie H. Kline Foundation,” said Ann Myers, Gift Planning Officer at Partnership for Better Health. “March 2020 was a month unlike most of us have ever experienced. Our community stepped up to support our local nonprofits during a difficult time. It was evident that caring through generosity became the way of life for so many, as we navigated unchartered waters.” Due to COVID-19, the Partnership for Better Health is celebrating the community’s success virtually, through a special video release: https://youtu.be/TOH8BOpw35E
Congratulations to the 31 Match Madness partners!
Amethyst Foundation
Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Capital Region
Big Brothers Big Sisters of York and Adams Counties
Carlisle Arts Learning Center
Carlisle Area Healthcare Auxiliary
Camp Koala
Civic Club of Shippensburg
Community CARES
Cumberland Goodwill EMS
Cumberland Valley Rails-to-Trails Council
Cumberland Youth Cycling Development
Drew Michael Taylor Foundation
Employment Skills Center
Fresh Match (Farmers on the Square)
Friends of Spring Township
Hope Station
Katie’s Place of Shippensburg
LEAF Project
Maranatha-Carlisle
New Life Community Church
Perry County Council of the Arts
Perry County Literacy Council
Perry Housing Partnership
Perry Human Services
Project SHARE
Safe Harbour
Shippensburg Community Resource Coalition
Summer Program for Youth (SPY)
The Mental Wellness Awareness Association
The RASE Project
The Salvation Army