Attracting money from 8,464 individual donors, the first Alabama Gives Day was organized by the Alabama Association of Nonprofits. The event allowed Alabamians to sift through hundreds of charities on a single website and donate to the ones of their choosing.
John Stone, president and CEO of the Alabama Association of Nonprofits, said the statewide event was a success.
“The fact that 8,400 Alabamians donated more than three quarters of a million dollars … it’s just a testament that Alabamians support what nonprofits do,” Stone said.
Stone said all the nonprofits would receive their donations by the end of the month.
Several Anniston nonprofits benefited from the event, including the United Way of East Central Alabama, which received $1,060 from 15 donors.
“We were pleased,” said United Way marketing director Shannon Jenkins. “Of course, we were pleased with any gifts anyone wanted to give us.”
Jenkins said the money would help bolster United Way’s general campaign fund, which currently has less money than the previous year. The fund currently has collected about $950,000; last year it had about $1.1 million.
“We are looking at a shortfall,” Jenkins said. “We’re hoping we can still pull out what we did last year. We still have several companies to report online and we’re still gathering numbers.”
But even with a shortfall in funds, United Way will continue helping the community,” Jenkins said.
“I can’t say it won’t affect services some,” he said. “But services will continue in the community.”
Other Anniston nonprofits also received donations during the event, including 2nd Chance Inc., which helps victims of domestic violence; the Northeast Alabama Center for Community Initiatives, which assists in community development; the West Anniston Foundation, which supports the health and education of disadvantaged residents in west Anniston; and the Calhoun-Cleburne Children’s Center, which helps sexually abused children.
But though Alabama Gives Day was deemed a success, Stone was not sure if the event would be held again next year.
“That decision hasn’t been reached,” Stone said.
Staff writer Patrick McCreless: 256-235-3561. On Twitter @PMcCreless_Star
