BY JUANITA T. JAMES
Fairfield County businesses, their employees and customers can make a difference in our region March 5 by joining Fairfield County”™s Community Foundation and Bank of America for Giving Day.
It is well documented that businesses do well by doing good. Giving Day offers 24 hours of online giving to more than 300 vetted local nonprofit organizations throughout Fairfield County.
- Juanita T. James
No matter how small or large the company, it”™s an ideal way to “give where you live” and engage employees, involve customers, give back to the community and be a benevolent neighbor.
Our goal is to raise $1 million between midnight and 11:59 p.m., March 5, through secure, online donations at FCGives.org.
It”™s easy and fun. On March 5, go to FCGives.org and choose your favorite local causes and communities and select which nonprofits you want to support. Even donations as modest as $10 will add up. Gifts will also help nonprofits compete for 30 cash prizes ranging from $500 to $25,000. These additional awards are funded by lead sponsor Bank of America and other businesses, institutions and individuals.
Fairfield County”™s nonprofits can use every dollar. Recent national research conducted by the Nonprofit Finance Fund found that in 2013, 78 percent of Connecticut nonprofits saw a significant increase in demand for their services. Unfortunately, due to reduced contributions, 57 percent were unable to meet that demand.
Local nonprofits help feed the nearly one in 10 Fairfield County families that struggle to find their next meal and the nearly 35,000 children living in food insecure households. They help bolster our cultural programs, strengthen our schools, shelter the homeless, treat the ill, train the unemployed, protect our environment ”” the list goes on.
Whether your passion is helping to feed the hungry, give books to children, support the arts, find animals their forever homes or other causes, you can make a local impact.
Please join us online at FCGives.org for Fairfield County”™s Giving Day. Every contribution can make Fairfield County an even better place for us to work and call home. Give where you live!
Juanita T. James is president and CEO of Fairfield County”™s Community Foundation, a supporter of the Cultural Alliance of Fairfield County.
