Minnesota’s Give to the Max Day Sets A 24-Hour Giving Record

The Minneapolis-St. Paul-based Star Tribune recently reported that Minnesotans set a national record when the 'Give to the Max Day' in Minnesota enjoyed an avalanche of $14 million in charitable donations in only 24 hours. Until November 17, Dallas held the record for the largest amount of donations made in one day, at $4 million. UCP of Central Minnesota was one of the lucky recipients of the successful fundraising event.

Beth Kanter, a visiting scholar at the Lucile and David Packard Foundation and a leading blogger on nonprofits and philanthropy, was very impressed by the fundraising. The Star Tribune reported that Kanter said, "'I'm sitting here with my jaw dropping. You had a critical mass, a good strategy... and a very charitable state. You've set the bar.'"

The online fundraising blitz took place on a new Web site called GiveMN.org. Dana Nelson, executive director of GiveMN.org explained that it was unclear whether the donations through the site were a part of holiday giving; according to Blackbaud, nonprofits receive nearly half of their annual donations during December. Regardless, it provided many Minnesota nonprofits with a great kick-off to end-of-year fundraising schedules.

Judy Moening, Executive Director of UCP of Central Minnesota explained, "It was a pretty powerful day for nonprofits in Minnesota. With just two days advance notice, UCP of Central Minnesota raised $900. In these economic times, every dollar counts."

For more information, please read the article from the Star Tribune or contact Judy Moening, UCP of Central Minnesota at (320) 253-0765.