The City of Corpus Christi proudly presents a check to the Coastal Bend foundation representing employee contributions made to the 2015 United Way City Campaign. Courtesy Photo
More than 7,000 donations raised $1,919,271 during the Coastal Bend Day of Giving fundraiser Nov. 10. The 24-hour fundraiser bested last year’s donations of $1.57 million which came from 6,500 people. Forty local nonprofits will benefit from the funds, up from 35 on last year’s list.
The Coastal Bend Day of Giving began in 2009 when nine area foundations got together and formed a matching gift program to raise money for those in need of food and shelter. The day-long fundraiser is administered by the Coastal Bend Community Foundation. For 2015, 21 matching funders promised up to $650,000, enabling each of the 40 participating nonprofits to raise at least $32,500 if they made the match in individual online donations.
Matching funders included John G. & Marie Stella Kenedy Memorial Foundation, Morris L. Lichtenstein, Jr. Foundation, Larry & Pat McNeil Foundation, Nueces Electric Charities, Incl, Margaret Sue Rust Foundation and many others
Individuals and groups participated, with the employees of the City of Corpus Christi working together to raise $106,474. The Police Department raised the most funds, collecting $24,818. The Fire Department came in second with $17,471.
Nonprofits benefiting from the fundraiser include the American Red Cross, Boys and Girls Club, Big Brothers Big Sisters of South Texas, CASA, Palmer Drug Abuse Program, Peewees Pet Adoption World & Sanctuary Inc., Spaulding for Children, Women’s Shelter of South Texas and more.
