Panhandle Gives exceeds expectation and raises $5.1 million

Panhandle Gives exceeded its goal this year and raised $5.1 million during its annual fundraising campaign.

The goal set for the campaign was $3.6 million, but in total $5,171,439 was raised. This is a 144% increase from the original goal.

“For us to hit 5.1 million dollars, we were just over the moon excited, because at the end of the day the dollars aren't really the important thing. What’s important is the impact of those dollars,” said Broc Carter, director of marketing for the Amarillo Area Foundation.

“There will be people who will have food on their table, who will have their needs taken care of, who get out of domestic violent situations, ... pets will have a place to live and not be euthanized, there's just so much goodness that will happen because of those philanthropic dollars in our area. That cannot be overstated,” Carter said.

The fundraiser received 6,000 gifts from 155 different cities in Texas, and 348 cities across the nation. In total, 42 states contributed, and donations were received from five countries.

“Going into 2021, we really did not know how to set our goal, because in 2020 during the height of the pandemic, there were definitely a lot of unknowns during that time. ... This year, we were really scratching our heads a little bit and came up with the goal for $3.6 million, and we thought that was a really big stretch,” Carter said.

In 2020, Panhandle Gives had set a goal for $2 million and raised $3.5 million.

This year, Panhandle Gives had grown to include an additional 25 organizations, totaling to 175 participating organizations, including Heal the City.

“The Panhandle Gives is an amazing platform, not just for Heal the City but for 175 non-profits that are spread throughout this incredible portion of Texas. And to say that we have the opportunity to come together during this time, to really hone in on the resources of others and really look at the needs of those around us, it really is about community,” said Lisa Lloyd, development director for Heal the City.

This year's application fund for the fundraiser was more than $600,000, all contributed by companies, organizations, and foundations here in the Panhandle.

“All the sponsors that make the application fund possible, it is an opportunity like no other, and in extension of that is the people. ... The people that continue to give through the Panhandle Gives to their organization, whether It be Heal the City, or some other non-profit that they are passionate about, it is a unique opportunity that is done in a way that truly unites the community,” Lloyd said.

Next year, Panhandle Gives is looking forward to raise even more in the 2022 fundraiser and include organizations from all 26 counties in the Panhandle.

Enrollment to participate will begin in March 2022.

This article originally appeared on Amarillo Globe-News: Panhandle Gives raises $5.1 million in annual campaign