$2.15 Million Raised for 913 Local Nonprofits

/EINPresswire.com/ -- ST. LOUIS, MO--(Marketwired - May 12, 2016) - On Give STL Day 2016, not even technology could stand in the way of St. Louis' giving spirit and commitment to regional nonprofits. Despite website stability issues that emerged late in the morning, thousands of area residents came together to make more than 14,500 individual gifts to 913 local nonprofits, which totaled more than $2.15 million -- slightly higher than what was raised in 2015.

"These results showcase the outstanding commitment our community has to our nonprofits," said Amelia Bond, president and CEO of the St. Louis Community Foundation. "Also notable is the sheer tenacity these nonprofits demonstrated. When the technical issues emerged, they quickly moved to keep the contributions flowing to the phone bank via KSDK-TV, their websites, or other means."

During the day, technical difficulties hampered the online giving platform that served Give STL Day and other giving days in 50 communities across the country. Undaunted, the St. Louis Community Foundation, presenting sponsor of the event, went "old school" and quickly converted Give STL Day donation efforts to a phone telethon, thanks to the cooperation of KSDK-TV. In addition, the Community Foundation extended Give STL Day beyond May 3, taking donations through midday May 4.

Bond reported that the KSDK-TV seven-line phone bank handled approximately 1,500 calls.

The $2.15 million raised exceeds the projections made by the Community Foundation last week. As with past years, the 2016 totals reflect matching gifts received by many of the participating nonprofits, prize money, and dollars reported from nonprofits that accepted donations directly via their websites.

All prizes and matching dollars awarded before 10 a.m. were honored and fulfilled. The remaining cash prizes and matching dollars were bundled and allocated to all eligible donations received over the remainder of the day.

When asked about Give STL Day in 2017, Bond deferred to the region's nonprofits. "It is their day and we want to consult with these organizations before we make any firm decisions," she said. "Give STL Day has always been about supporting our local nonprofits, but St. Louis did so with perseverance and patience on Give STL Day 2016. We are grateful."

Event sponsors included: The Private Client Reserve - U.S. Bank, Cardinals Care, Wells Fargo Advisors, Archford Capital, and the St. Louis Blues.

About the St. Louis Community Foundation

Since its founding in 1915 as one of the nation's first community foundations, the goal of the St. Louis Community Foundation has been to increase charitable giving within the St. Louis region. Individuals, families, and corporations are encouraged to open a fund at the Community Foundation in order to boost the impact their charitable dollars have on improving the quality of life in the St. Louis area and beyond.

The St. Louis Community Foundation is a public charity composed of more than 500 charitable funds with total assets of approximately $300 million. Each fund represents a unique charitable-giving partnership with an individual, family, or business. Since 1990, more than $350 million in grants have been distributed, with approximately 80 percent remaining in the St. Louis region. For more information about the St. Louis Community Foundation, please visit stlgives.org.

For more information, contact:
Margaret Welch
314-703-1215
Email contact