Thursday night at the Riverhouse Convention Center, during a reception for participating nonprofits of the 2023 Central Oregon Gives campaign, The Source Weekly announced a remarkable milestone for the 2023 Central Oregon Gives campaign. The campaign, renowned for its end-of-year philanthropic efforts, amassed over $1 million in donations for the second consecutive year. Since its inception in 2018, Central Oregon Gives has helped raise nearly $4 million, benefiting over 100 local nonprofits.
Central Oregon Gives raised $1,028,126 in donations over the seven-week campaign which began in mid-November and ended at midnight on December 31, 2023.
The Friday evening event also included the announcement of the 2023 fundraising contest winners. Last year’s runner-up, Saving Grace, a crucial support organization for survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault, emerged as the top fundraiser. The organization earned $252,292.
In addition to their fundraising achievements, Saving Grace unlocked an additional $15,000 prize from an anonymous donor for winning the top fundraising prize.
The nonprofit in the Education, Family and Children category that raised the second most earned $5,000 from First Interstate Bank. This year that nonprofit was Desert Sky Montessori.
In addition to Saving Grace, and five other organizations are taking away $27,500 in $2,500 grants for their fundraising successes across several categories including:
- Basic Needs: Furnish Hope
- Animal Welfare: Street Dog Hero
- Arts & Culture: World Muse
- Health & Environment: Healing Reins
- Largest number of $25 donations or less: Desert Sky Montessori
The Central Oregon Gives digital platform enabled a significant number of people to contribute to various causes. With a total of 2,723 individual donations, of which 1,142 were under $25, the platform showcased the impact of even the smallest contributions.
The success of the program can be directly attributed to the collaboration with local businesses. Donors contributing $25 received a generous thank-you gift sponsored by various local businesses, including Backporch Coffee Roasters, Barre3, Boss Coffee, Breedlove Guitars, Cascade Lakes Brewing, Fjallraven, Goodlife Brewing Company, Hayden Homes Amphitheater, High Desert Frameworks, Metalheads Boutique, Mt Bachelor, Old Mill District, Powder House, SCP Redmond, Sisters Coffee Company, Silvermoon Brewing, Sunriver Brewing and Worthy Brewing.
Concluding the event, Aaron Switzer, founder of Central Oregon Gives and Publisher of the Source Weekly remarked, “This year has been a pivotal one for Central Oregon Gives. We are thrilled with the outcome and look forward to achieving even greater heights in collaboration with our nonprofits and the broader community.”
About Central Oregon Gives:
The Central Oregon Gives campaign raises funds for Central Oregon nonprofits through tax-deductible donations made via an interactive digital platform at centraloregongives.com. Each donor who contributes $25 or more receives a thank you gift from a local business, such as a pint of beer or cup of coffee. Donors are also entered to win larger prizes. Nonprofits that raise the most also receive additional donations from generous foundations or local businesses. To partner with Central Oregon Gives as a matching donor or sponsor contact info@centraloregongives.com.
