6th annual Give DeKalb County raises more than $749K for nonprofits

DeKalb County residents made a big showing Thursday, donating more than a half-million dollars to support DeKalb County nonprofit organizations.

A final count showed $749,200 was raised by 4,354 donations during the 24-hour Give DeKalb County, far exceeding 2018’s total, which was $615,000.

The final number for the bonus
pool currently sits at $66,181, said Ben Bingle, director of DeKalb County Nonprofit Partnership. The organization is an arm of the DeKalb County Community Foundation that has organized the annual giving day for the past six years.

More than 100 nonprofits participated in the event.

“May 2 was an incredible example of communities coming together for one common goal: the nonprofit sector,” Bingle said Friday. “It was an exciting day for donors and nonprofits alike.”

Bingle said the bonus pool still is growing because ongoing partnerships with places such as Hy-Vee and the foundation still are collecting money.

Bingle said the foundation processed 1,087 in-person donations at the Sycamore location Thursday, in addition to 3,267 online donations.

“We saw donors of all ages, from kindergartners up through those making large, budgeted gifts,” Bingle said. “It’s inspiring to witness generosity at this level, and we’re eager to see the impact of these donations.”

According to Give DeKalb County’s website, local homeless shelter Hope Haven of DeKalb County Inc. raised the most money, with $51,000.

Family Service Agency came next with $50,600, followed by domestic abuse and violence survivor shelter Safe Passage Inc. with $38,800,

Opportunity House raised $28,500, and Voluntary Action Center raised $26,600.

Safe Passage received the most donations with 227, according to the site, and Tails Humane Society received the second most, with
199 donations.

For a complete list of organizations and fundraiser totals for the annual event, visit www.GiveDeKalbCounty.org.