Open Your Heart on May 6 for Give STL Day

Many people see nonprofits only as charities – the last hope for individuals in need.

While many do offer a helping hand to select groups, in reality, with more than 12,000 nonprofits in the St. Louis metropolitan area, you’re impacted by their incredible, heartfelt work each and every day, regardless of your situation.

Whether you’re getting in a workout at the YMCA, visiting one of St. Louis’ most popular attractions, or enrolling your child in Boy or Girl Scouts, you’re benefiting from organizations dedicated to making our region an amazing place to live.

UPDATE 5/7: Give STL Day raised more than $1.1 million from over 13,000 donors. See more details at givestlday.org

On May 6, you can give back to the organizations that mean the world to your family – and to your fellow St. Louisans – by making a donation through Give STL Day, a 24-hour giving event that will help the more than 500 Missouri and Illinois nonprofits that registered for the event, especially those that continue to fight for survival in today’s struggling economy.

It’s simple – just visit GiveSTLDay.org, search for the charity of your choice, click, and make a donation of $10 or more. You can choose a number of organizations to support and donate as much and as often as you like. From hospitals to children’s organizations to support groups, you’ll find the charities that touch your heart and your life.

In addition, giving challenges and “Power Hours” will be promoted during the event on Facebook and Twitter. During each of the six Power Hours, all donations received will be matched dollar for dollar up to $10,000 by local corporations and foundations. Plus, nonprofits will be randomly awarded with additional cash prizes, and all donors are in the running to receive St. Louis Cardinals ticket giveaways throughout the day.

Give STL Day was launched to celebrate the 100^th birthday of the Greater Saint Louis Community Foundation, which has helped donors support the nonprofits they care about since 1915. Each year, the Community Foundation contributes $20 million on behalf of its donors to more than 450 organizations in St. Louis and around the world.

According to president and CEO, Amelia Bond, Give STL Day is the perfect outlet to spotlight the organizations the Community Foundation helps. “In addition to being St. Louis’ first-ever community-wide, 24-hour online fundraising effort, we are hopeful that donors will use the event as an opportunity to visit GiveSTLDay.org and give not only to the organizations they know and care about, but use it as an opportunity to learn about new nonprofits and contribute generously to them as well,” Bond said via email.

Similar single-day giving events have raised more than $8 million in Pittsburgh and $10 million in Columbus, Ohio. Since St. Louis is ranked as one of the most generous cities in the country, it’s safe to say that with our unified commitment to supporting those who support us, our day could go down as the biggest in history.

As essential as giving is to local nonprofits, it also demonstrates to our children the importance of giving back to the community, especially if they join us when choosing a charity and making a gift.

“Our kids learn by our example,” said Bond. “If they see us taking an interest in nonprofits, giving generously of our time and making contributions, studies show they are more likely to follow suit. More importantly, by participating in Give STL Day, they can experience the fun and good feelings associated with finding a group or organization they care about and then giving a donation. Those feelings of generosity and goodwill will start young and last a lifetime.”

Wondering about @StLouisGives and how you+your kids can participate? Here's the scoop--> http://t.co/yNUPC361c0 #giveSTLday

— STL Parent (@stlparent) May 1, 2014