Nonprofits in Clark County ready to greet Give More 24!

Give More 24! returns Thursday, and some local nonprofits are gearing up to host in-person events for the one-day fundraising extravaganza. In-person fundraising events were canceled the last two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

This year marks the ninth annual Give More 24!, Southwest Washington’s largest day of online giving put on by the Community Foundation for Southwest Washington.

The goal is to raise $3.5 million for the more than 200 participating nonprofits during the online giving marathon, and some nonprofits are hosting events throughout Clark County to bolster fundraising efforts.

For example, the Clark County Historical Museum will be hosting multiple fundraisers throughout the day. Give More 24! gives the nonprofit the opportunity to share its mission widely, and Bradley Richardson, the organization’s executive director, wants to use the day to be present in the community.

“The museum includes thousands of objects in our collection that people don’t often get to see,” Richardson said. “We’re trying to be present across Clark County throughout the day, and we’ll be showing objects in connection to place and story.”

Between 9 and 10 a.m., the Clark County Historical Museum will set up historical artifacts related to Clark County’s prune history at Fleur Chocolatte and Wine at 1304 Main St., Vancouver.

From noon to 1 p.m., the organization will be at the Hidden House Market, 100 W. 13th St., and volunteers will be displaying historical artifacts related to the Hidden family and their brickyard.

Then, the organization will round out its fundraising efforts at Mav’s Taphouse, 108 W. Evergreen Blvd., for happy hour from 4 to 5 p.m. There, volunteers will showcase artifacts related to Clark County’s local brewing, spirit and wine history, as well as artifacts that demonstrate the area’s “more dangerous history,” according to Richardson.

The organization has secured $7,000 in matching funds and hopes to raise a total of $15,000.

“We are really excited to do in-person stuff again this year,” Richardson said. “We really appreciate what the Community Foundation has done with this day of giving. It’s so much fun, and the dollars make such a huge difference. On top of those dollars, the event brings everyone together, and it really represents the heart of our nonprofits here in Clark County. We’re a very close community that supports each other and lifts each other up.”

How to participate

Starting at 12:01 a.m. on Thursday, individuals can donate to participating nonprofits online at GiveMore24.org and watch the donations add up in real time. On top of individual donors, more than $1.5 million in matching funds and nonprofit prizes have already been donated by sponsors.

Not only does the website serve as the hub for nonprofit fundraising during the event, but it also allows supporters to start a personal fundraiser for their favorite charity. Supporters can help promote nonprofits by spreading the word on social media with a simple click of a button. Businesses can participate by launching workplace giving campaigns with tools and resources provided on the website.

The Community Fund for Southwest Washington launched Give More 24! in 2013 to build fundraising and support for local nonprofits. Last year, the event raised over $3.3 million for 207 nonprofits from Clark, Cowlitz and Skamania counties. The event has seen consistent growth thanks to the generosity of local neighbors and communities, according to Community Foundation for Southwest Washington President Matt Morton.

Another nonprofit looking forward to getting out into the community Thursday is Columbia Play Project, an organization dedicated to creating “exploratory play spaces” for kids and families.

Columbia Play Project volunteers will be touring the community in its newly launched Mobile Children’s Museum and will be offering opportunities for kids to take a “play break.” Hula-hooping, chalk art and poetry creation are some of the options for playing.

Columbia Play Project’s fundraising goal for Give More 24! is $20,000, and the organization has been awarded a $10,000 match from the Leslie B. Durst Fund.

All funds raised will be used to support exploratory play activities in Clark County, including the building of a brick-and-mortar Children’s Museum, which is slated for completion in 2026, according to Board Chair Jeanne Bennett.

The Mobile Children’s Museum was launched this month, and volunteers are excited to get it out into the community for Give More 24!

“This is our first real opportunity to show it off and to share with everyone what we’re planning to do with that vehicle,” Bennet said.

More events

In addition to its annual breakfast, which is also being held on Thursday, Evergreen Habitat for Humanity will be offering 25 percent off all items at its Clark County Habitat Store, 10811 S.E. Second St., for Give More 24! Gift cards, coupons, snacks and more will be available. Golden hammers will be hidden throughout the store all day, and whoever finds one will receive 50 percent off their purchase and a $10 gift card.

The Clark County Habitat Store had a grand reopening ceremony in August, and the organization is hoping Give More 24! will help get the word out to the community that the store is open, and that the organization is accepting donations.

The nonprofit hopes to raise $110,000 through both its annual luncheon and Give More 24!

“All the donations and proceeds from the store go directly back to Clark County — our programs, homeowners and our families that we help build homes for,” said Kelsey Castry, major gifts and procurement manager for Evergreen habitat for Humanity. “We are here for the community.”

Fosterful, a local nonprofit that has qualified volunteers spend time with children entering foster care, is hosting an event between 9 and 11 a.m. at its office in downtown Vancouver, 101 E. Eighth St., Suite 270.

Volunteers will be creating a mosaic art piece of the Fosterful logo, and anyone who donates more than $25 can choose a piece of tile or glass to place on the mosaic. People who donate $100 or more will receive a plaque that will hang next to the mosaic. Complimentary coffee and doughnuts will be available. The organization hopes to raise $20,000.

“We’re really looking forward to getting back together,” said office manager Emily Cruz.

Additionally, diners at Beaches Restaurant on Thursday will have 50 percent of their bill kicked back to a participating nonprofit of their choice.

“Generosity has always been one of our region’s greatest strengths, and we’re hoping the momentum donors and nonprofits have created through Give More 24! will continue this year,” said Morton. “We know times are getting tougher for many, which is precisely when we need to show up for one another and give more as a community.”