Help nonprofits secure grant awards through Gannett Foundation's crowdfunding program
Organizations looking to better their communities are fundraising until Aug. 12 as a part of the Gannett Foundation’s A Community Thrives crowdfunding and grant program.
More than 700 organizations — including seven in Stark County — have applied for the $2 million initiative in hopes of implementing community-building ideas.
The nonprofit organizations have one month to raise money through the online platform Mightycause to reach a minimum of $3,000 or $6,000, depending on the group’s operating budget, to qualify as a grant recipient.
Through the site, users can donate to an organization of their choice by filtering the cause type, location and category.
"A Community Thrives has been an excellent way for Gannett to leverage its platforms to raise attention and funds for participating nonprofit organizations," said Sue Madden, director of the Gannett Foundation. "Over the past five years, the program has contributed more than $17 million to community building projects and local operating expenses of service organizations across the country.”
The organizations will get to keep the money they raise, but top projects also will qualify for additional grants to support their change-making ideas. Top fundraisers will receive a total of $200,000 in grants and all eligible organizations will qualify for consideration of the National Project and Local Operating grants.
The Canton Repository, Massillon Independent and Alliance Review became part of Gannett in December 2019.
A Community Thrives: Gannett Foundation calls for applications in national, local crowdfunding, grant program
The Stark County-based nonprofits seeking funding are:
Compassion Delivered: $25,000 to help deliver meals to hospital patients. https://acommunitythrives.mightycause.com/organization/Compassion-Delivered
Hammer & Nails: $30,000 for its P.U.S.H. project to help homeowners in need of home and property repairs. https://acommunitythrives.mightycause.com/organization/Hammer-And-Nails
Junior Achievement of North Central Ohio: $50,000 to provide financial literacy programs to schools. https://acommunitythrives.mightycause.com/organization/Juniorachievement-Northcentralohio
Stark County Hunger Task Force: $30,000 to support its emergency pantry network. https://acommunitythrives.mightycause.com/organization/Stark-County-Hunger-Task-Force
Stark Education Partnership: $100,000 to foster collaborations between employers and educators. https://acommunitythrives.mightycause.com/organization/Stark-Education-Partnership
The Wilderness Center: $25,000 for inclusive outdoor spaces and playsc. https://acommunitythrives.mightycause.com/organization/Wilderness-Center
TomTod Ideas: $50,000 for its "What If 101" program. https://acommunitythrives.mightycause.com/organization/Tomtod
Last year, Hammer & Nails, Junior Achievement of North Central Ohio, The Wilderness Center and TomTod Ideas each received $5,000 grants.
With the help of A Community Thrives program, nonprofits are able to bring community-improvement ideas to life.
In addition to funding, A Community Thrives raises the visibility of participating organizations with national and local media coverage and exposes the organizations’ missions to new potential donors.
"This is a national program with equal opportunity for small and nascent organizations and well-established organizations alike. Building community through connections and helping communities thrive are key program drivers," Madden said.
2021 grant recipients: New Jersey urban farm project, refugee organization in Ohio among 2021 recipients in Gannett Foundation's A Community Thrives
To learn about the 2022 A Community Thrives participating organizations and to make donations, visit acommunitythrives.mightycause.com.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Gannett Foundation A Community Thrives program: How to donate
