On Friday, March 22, Utah residents will have an opportunity to prove their record-breaking generosity by contributing to their favorite nonprofit organizations and schools. The “Love UT Give UT” event encourages residents statewide to make a contribution to the organization of their choice. In Moab, participating groups include BEACON After School Program, Canyonlands Field Institute, Community Rebuilds, Club Red Teen Center, Grand Area Mentoring, Moab Folk Festival, Moab Free Health Clinic, Moab Valley Multicultural Center and Seekhaven.

“Utahns always lead the nation for charitable giving. This year we are launching an innovative online event that can help Utahns learn about and give to hundreds of nonprofit organizations and schools across the state,” said Fraser Nelson, executive director of the Community Foundation of Utah. “The Community Foundation is dedicated to bringing innovative ways to expand philanthropy in our state, and this is a program whose time has come.” 

Nelson said “Love UT Give UT” is centered around four goals:

• Growing philanthropy by creating a fun and engaging way for all Utahns to learn about critical issues impacting the state and inspiring them to give;

• Growing revenue by bringing new donors to the organizations that make the state and its future strong;

• Growing capacity by building a permanent online giving platform so that all charities – no matter where they are, who they serve, or how big their budget – can access online giving, now and for years to come;

• And growing community by providing a day for Utahns of all backgrounds and beliefs to come together to raise as much money for nonprofit organizations and schools as possible.

“’Love UT Give UT’ will bring together Utahns for 24-hours of unprecedented giving using an online platform, www.loveUTgiveUT.org,” Nelson said in a news release. “This type of virtual fundraising event has been successfully pioneered in other states, raising millions of dollars and bringing new donors to organizations, large and small that serve their communities. Other states’ successes have been staggering: Minnesota raises more than $16 million each year, and The Park City Foundation raised $595,642 for Summit County agencies.”

During the March 22 event, all donations are taken online at loveUTgiveUT.org. Contributors can also use their smartphones and tablets to donate, according to the news release. To donate to a Moab-based organization, go to the website, click on “Explore Nonprofits” then enter Moab’s area code to see all the participating groups.

Love UT Give UT is intended to help nonprofits and schools showcase their work and introduce their organizations to new and potential donors, Nelson said. Customized profiles detail their individual missions, programs and events. The site also lets donors manage their charitable giving by recording online contributions and storing receipts.

Participating groups also have the opportunity to receive additional funding, according to the news release. The three organizations that have the largest number of donors through the event in their respective categories will receive additional grants. Grand categories include small nonprofits with budgets under $100,000; medium nonprofits with budgets over $100,000 but under $1 million; large nonprofits with budgets over $1 million; and schools, colleges and universities.

Donors to nonprofit groups will be randomly selected to have $100 added to their donations six times during the day, according to the news release. And donors will also have the opportunity to double their dollars for nonprofit organizations that have secured matching funds from supporters.

For more information, visit www.utahcf.org.