People all over Grand Rapids reached into their pocketbooks yesterday for Giving Tuesday as local non-profits partnered together in a joint fundraiser. More than 200 West Michigan nonprofits joined forces Tuesday for #GRgives, a city-wide campaign to raise funds for local non-profits on the unofficial holiday.
Stephanie Adams, the marketing and communications director at the Dorothy A. Jonson Center for Philanthropy says the fundraising effort began five years ago in an effort to make Giving Tuesday in Grand Rapids more collaborative.
“We created a hyper local focus on Giving Tuesday and brought non-profits together," Adams said. "And really just push the idea of giving and what philanthropy means.”
Giving Tuesday got off to an early start this year, as last week, Lake Michigan Credit Union donated $10,000 to a number of local non-profits, including the Ronald McDonald House of Western Michigan. Patty McCormick, the Development Director at the Ronald McDonald house, said they were extremely thankful for the gift.
“We are grateful to be one of the recipients of the Lake Michigan Credit Union, we are excited to see the support that we and many of the valuable non-profits here in Grand Rapids will receive today, and we think it is a terrific effort,” McCormick said.
The non-profit provides housing to the families of children that have traveled to Grand Rapids for critical medical treatments. McCormick also had grateful words to everyone who donated to the Ronald McDonald House.
“I say thank you so much, we are so thankful, for all of our donors, our advocates and our many volunteers all of whom help us provide financial and emotional release to over 400 families a year when they need it the most.”
While Giving Tuesday has passed, officials said the #GRgives website is permanent and will continue to accept donations for those who would still like to give either financially or by volunteering their time to any of the 200 non-profits listed.