Centre Gives wrapped up on Thursday night with another record total raised for local nonprofit organizations.
Centre Foundation’s 13th annual 36-hour online giving event brought in $2,493,819 through 16,577 gifts to more than 200 participating nonprofits. The total eclipses the previous high of $2,316,315 set in 2023.
“We are thrilled by the overwhelming response and exceptional generosity shown during Centre Gives,” Molly Kunkel, president and CEO of Centre Foundation, said in a statement. “The incredible success of the fundraiser is a testament to the generosity of our community and their dedication to making Centre County an even better place for all. We are deeply grateful for each and every donor and sponsor who chose to invest in the future of our community.”
Since its inception in 2012, Centre Gives has now raised more than $19 million for organizations working in the areas of arts, animals, education, environment, health and social services and more.
For the third consecutive year, the event concluded with Centre Gives Fest, a community celebration held at the newly opened event venue Brass 16823 in Titan Energy Park in Bellefonte. The festival included food trucks, music be DJ Elbow Knee Knee and more than 30 participating nonprofits providing information, games and activities.
Among those nonprofits was Jana Marie Foundation, whose president and founder, Marisa Vicere, called Centre Gives a testament to community solidarity.
“We all work together to support each other, our friends and our neighbors,” she said in a statement. “It’s wonderful to see everyone rallying for their favorite nonprofits and to have this opportunity to interact with the community, especially in a new venue. It’s a great way to check out new places in our community and to work together to keep highlighting all the great work that’s being done.”
Gifts during Centre Gives are boosted by a $300,000 stretch pool provided by Centre Foundation and the Hamer Foundation, which allows organizations to earn additional funds with each donation received, as well as $40,000 in prizes.
Prizes of $500 were awarded to the top 10 large and small organizations with the most unique donors.
Large organization prize winners:
Centre County PAWS
Centre Safe
Centre Volunteers in Medicine
ClearWater Conservancy
Out of the Cold: Centre County
Park Forest Preschool
Performing Arts School of Central Pennsylvania
Pets Come First
Schlow Library Foundation
State College Food Bank
Small organization prize winners:
A Soldier’s Hands
Bellefonte Art Museum for Centre County
Centre County Historical Society at the Centre Furnace Mansion
Centre LGBT+
Centre Wildlife Care
Dyslexia Reading Center
Nittany Beagle Rescue
Pixie Dust Wishes
The Hundred Cat Foundation
United Baseball
TriYoga of Central Pennsylvania won the inaugural $1,000 #IGiveWhereILive Prize, which was awarded at random to one organization based on the participation of nonprofit supporters in a social media contest before the start of Centre Gives.
Additional prizes ranging from $100 to $500 were awarded to dozens of organizations in 15 other categories.
