Fairfield County’s Community Foundation Launches 8th Annual Giving Day

Fairfield County’s Giving Day 2021, Region’s Largest Day of Virtual Philanthropy, Scheduled for Feb. 25, 2021; Nonprofit Registration Now Open with 30% Discount on Fees Through November

(Norwalk, CT) – Fairfield County’s Community Foundation (FCCF) has opened nonprofit and business registration for its eighth annual Fairfield County’s Giving Day, the 24-hour, online fundraiser for nonprofits made even more timely this year as the coronavirus pandemic amplifies need and emphasizes the reliance on virtual connections with donors. The annual, with the support of champion sponsor Bank of America, will take place on February 25, 2021.

To participate, local nonprofits can register at FCGives.org; nonprofit. In recognition of the stress, COVID-19 has put on its nonprofit peers, FCCF is offering a special 30 percent discount — a cost of only $35 — for nonprofits that register before the end of November. Starting December 1, nonprofit registration fees will be $50, the same cost as past years.

Participating organizations receive training in on-line workshops to more effectively reach new supporters on Fairfield County’s Giving Day, as well as an opportunity to develop relationships with new donors and volunteers.

“Fairfield County’s Giving Day has been a remarkable success for eight years, raising much-needed funding for hundreds of nonprofits each year that support the people, communities, and causes in our region,” Juanita James, President & CEO of Fairfield County’s Community Foundation, said.

James added, “Many nonprofits have told us the donations they received last winter from Giving Day 2020, held two weeks before state shutdowns, allowed them time to pivot their plans and help keep their doors open this year. In unpredictable times, Fairfield County’s Giving Day 2021 will provide a familiar and proven online fundraising event for our nonprofit partners and generous community early in the new year.”

James said nonprofits are facing unprecedented challenges to continue operation during the pandemic. Many arts organizations have had to close their doors; human service providers are struggling to meet increased need while keeping providers and consumers safe. At the same time, nonprofits have lost the ability to conduct traditional in-person fundraising that they count on for their annual budgets.

FCCF is in the unique position with Fairfield County’s Giving Day, to provide a virtual option already in place to help community nonprofits. The virtual event is the region’s largest philanthropic day of the year and has raised more than $9.3 million since inception in 2014. Fairfield County’s Giving Day 2020 raised more than $1,65 million from 12,666 donors to benefit 390 nonprofits serving all 23 towns and cities of Fairfield County.

Each registered nonprofit is given a profile page on the FCGives.org website, that is designed by that organization. The site features easy ways for donors to search through the nonprofit participants and to give, as well as donation tallies and a leaderboard to encourage donor challenges.

In addition to Champion Sponsor Bank of America, Fairfield County’s Giving Day 2021’s sponsors also include County Sponsor: Anonymous Fund at FCCF, Hearst Connecticut Media Group; Neighborhood Sponsor: Barbara Benton Davis Fund at FCCF, Back to You Fund at FCCF; Power Hour Sponsor: The Jeniam Foundation, Fund for Women & Girls at FCCF; Town Square Sponsor: Albourne Partners, Webster Private Bank; Magazine Partner: Moffly Media. Additional sponsorship opportunities are still available.

Local businesses can also participate in Fairfield County’s Giving Day with their own no-cost custom Business Fundraiser profile on FCGives.org. The portal serves as a hub for engaging employees and customers in support of the causes they care about most, and can facilitate matching gifts to any participating nonprofit. Contact Rebecca Mandell at RMandell@fccfoundation.org for more information on sponsorship opportunities and business participation.