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SALT LAKE CITY — The second-annual Love UT Give UT statewide online giving campaign gets underway at 12:01 a.m. Thursday with a goal of $1 million in donations.
Members of Revolution United and the Rubber Room School of Dance broke into meditation and dance at the Salt Lake City Library Wednesday evening as a kick-off and call to charitable action.
"People want to give, they just need to know when how and why. That's what we're out here doing tonight," said Anna West, director of Rubber Room School of Dance.
"More than anything, it's about spreading awareness about our organization and the message that we are trying to resonate," said David Brooks, founder of Revolution United.
Last year, the Community Foundation of Utah held the first Love UT Give UT, 24-hour online giving campaign. More than 6,500 Utahns raised $800,000 for 357 charities.
Thursday, they hope to exceed that total and help 500 organizations. The campaign gets underway at 12:01 a.m.
The minimum donation to Love UT Give UT is $10. There is no maximum limit.
Additional cash grants up to $5,000 will be awarded to nonprofits that have the largest number of donors, said Fraser Nelson, executive director of the Community Foundation of Utah, which sponsors the campaign.
"The No. 1 reason for Utahns to give is that they leverage their giving, even by giving $10. You're adding to a very large pot, so every donation counts," Nelson said.
This year, donors have pledged $411,000 in challenge and matching grants to encourage giving. Last year, the campaign netted about $800,000 in donations with some 6,500 people or businesses contributing.
- Utah FACES
- Noble Horse Sanctuary
- Plan B Theater
- HEAL Utah
- The Sharing Place
- Wasatch Community Gardens
- Girl Scouts of Utah
- TURN Community Services
- Utah Pride Center
- Westminster College
- Weber School District Foundation
- Salt Lake Arts Academy
"This year, we've got half of what we raised just in matching grants," Nelson said.
Some 460 nonprofits, schools and organizations are taking part in the online giving campaign, up 100 from a year ago, she said.
Last year, the Community Foundation's office served as headquarters for the day of giving. This year, the event will be staged at the Gallivan Center, dubbed "Love Central" for the day.
Food and drinks will be served throughout the day. Participants can follow the progress online or watch it on a big screen at the plaza.
Grants will be awarded to organizations with the largest number of donors, not those that receive the most funding, Nelson said.
One of last year's grant recipients was Noble Horse Rescue, a small nonprofit organization that rescues aging, abused and neglected horses.
"They raised more money during Love UT Give UT than they did the rest of the year. It really set their budget," Nelson said.
The added benefit of the giving event is to raise awareness about nonprofit organizations in Utah.
Noble Horse Rescue has benefited from a larger donor base, more volunteers and "an expanded number of people who care about their organization," she said.
Contributing to Love UT Give UT "is very simple. It just takes a second. You just point, click and donate," Nelson said.
“It all adds up. Last year 6,500 people made $800,000 happen. We want to double that this year.”
