Dozens of Clallam County charitable organizations look to fundraise and garner support for programs and services on the third annual ClallamGives on GivingTuesday, set for Tuesday, Dec. 1.
Celebrated nationally each year on the Tuesday following Thanksgiving, GivingTuesday kicks off the local holiday giving season by aiming to inspiring people to collaborate and give back.
“We’re incredibly inspired by the way GivingTuesday embraces this worldwide movement for philanthropy,” said Sara Nicholls, Sequim Free Clinic’s executive director.
Founded in 2012, GivingTuesday is a global day that has grown each year as more organizations capitalize on the power of collective giving fueled by this international day of philanthropy. Last year, $511 million was raised nationally online, with total U.S. donations approaching $2 billion.
This year the giving began on Nov. 19 and runs through Dec. 1. Donors are encouraged to give online or by mail to their favorite charities.
“Clallam County has a reputation for people coming together for the common good. We’re all in this together, working to stabilize and build stronger, more resilient communities,” said Sheila Everett, program director of Olympic View Community Foundation.
“We hope Giving Tuesday will harness the power of our generous community to meet the unprecedented needs of 2020, and help create an even better place to live.
“Because of the pandemic this year, nonprofits are having to do more with less. They’ve lost income, staff, and volunteers while trying to meet unprecedented needs in our communities. Some organizations are completely closed, while others face many challenges to fulfill their missions. Several are pivoting to provide crisis response, which has completely changed the priorities of their services.”
The year-end giving season can be the lifeblood for many charitable organizations. With nearly one-third of all annual donations occurring in the final month of the year, it’s essential for nonprofits to make the most of this peak giving season, Everett said. This is especially true, she said, since 50 percent of nonprofits receive a majority of their annual budget from October through December each year.
Examples of local programs and services needing support are: Animal welfare, early education, scholarships, arts and entertainment, environment/conservation, food banks, medical and behavioral health, housing, veterans, senior centers, and programs benefiting foster children and disabled individuals.
“As we prepare for Dec. 1, we’re energized and encouraged by the community’s generosity,” said Melissa Williams, executive director of Feiro Marine Life Center in Port Angeles.
”The response and support during the pandemic has been heartwarming and critically important.”
