Fayette Gives is accepting applications from local nonprofits that want to participate in the countyâs second one-day online giving event.
The first Fayette Gives, held in November and hosted by the Community Foundation of Fayette County, raised $292,423 for the 42 participating charities.
While this yearâs event wonât be held until Nov. 16, CFFC Communications and Grantmaking Coordinator Rebecca Wardle encouraged nonprofits to begin submitting applications.
âWeâre eager to see both charities who participated last year and charities who are new to Fayette Gives, especially now that we had a successful first year and people have become familiar with it,â she said.
A total of $292,423 was distributed to local nonprofits through their participation in the Fayette Gives event hosted by the Community Foundation of Fayette County.
The event was the first of its kind in the county and Renee Couser, executive director of CFFC, said 2020 was a good year to start it, as many nonprofit organizations are struggling financially due to the virus.
During the event, donors contributed through check or online and gave a total of more than $233,746. In addition, a $57,000 Bonus Pool, sponsored by businesses and foundations, was distributed to the organizations participating.
Couser said to participate in the Nov. 12 Fayette Gives event, nonprofit organizations in the area needed to meet certain criteria, and once they were approved, they set up a profile and directed donors to the website to give for the event. Funds in the bonus pool were used to enhance the contributions.
Decreased call volumes and surging costs for personal protective equipment have created a perfect storm for emergency responders, and Fayette EMS is feeling the toll.
They received $125,000 in grant money, but lost about $600,000 in income and the funding has largely dried up, said Fayette EMS Administrative Director Bob Topper.
âWe received $125,000, and weâve spent it all,â he said, and compared their situation to families facing the end of unemployment checks. âIf this continues any longer, weâre going to run out. Weâve run through our first batch, and something needs to happen or itâs going to be a rough start to the first of the year.â