Give Miami Day Could Raise More Than $15 Million For Charities

MIAMI, FL — Give Miami Day, South Florida’s largest charitable giving event, kicks off Thursday at midnight. And the Miami Foundation – the organization behind this annual 24-hour online giving campaign – is hopeful donations will surpass the $15 million mark for the first time this year.

Now in its ninth year, nearly 900 Miami-area charitable organizations will benefit from this year’s event. Those interested in donating to a local nonprofit – either one they already support or a new one they discover through Give Miami Day – can do so online here.

Even before the campaign started Thursday, the Miami Foundation raised $1 million, its highest-ever bonus pool. This bonus pool will grow throughout the day, as well, said Rebecca Fishman Lipsey, the president and CEO. A portion of every dollar donated to an area nonprofit as part of Give Miami Day, will be matched by funds from the bonus pool, she added.

For the past eight years, Give Miami Day has been a financial shot in the arm for many nonprofits as they end the year. And this year, when the COVID-19 pandemic has caused so much economic uncertainty throughout the community, this giving campaign is more important than ever, Fishman Lipsey said.

“This is the biggest fundraiser of the year…It’s always important, especially in a year like this. We want to make sure we end the year strong,” she said. “A year like this, when the volume of need is so high, the community really needs to step up.”

The nonprofits supported by this year’s Give Miami Day represent every facet of the community, including education, health care, social justice and civic engagement, environmental issues, arts and culture, and more.

“They span every issue and matter that matters to the future of our city,” Fishman Lipsey said.

To help connect donors with nonprofit organizations that work on the causes they care about, Give Miami Day will feature Power Hours throughout the day. Every hour from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., the Miami Foundation will use social media and other outlets to spotlight a different cause and some nonprofits that work in that area.

South Florida residents “have felt real financial pain this year,” she added. Despite this, they’re still thinking “generously.” Millions of dollars were raised during the early giving period before Give Miami Day even began.

She’s hopeful that the giving campaign will easily reach its $15 million goal on Thursday. They’re also aiming to have more people donate this year, even if it’s a smaller amount.

“We want more people donating, whether its $25 or $25,000,” Fishman Lipsey said. “It makes a big difference living in a city where everybody steps up.”