Every spring the Give Grandly Coalition, with major support from the Grant County Community Foundation, organizes Give Grandly! -- its big fundraising marathon for area nonprofits.
The annual fundraiser this year is scheduled for Saturday, May 8. More than 55 nonprofits from Grant, Luna, Catron and Hidalgo counties are participating.
These nonprofits provide a great range of activities and services that contribute to the quality of life here in southwest New Mexico. They run food pantries and shelters; rescue animals; provide activities for children; promote literacy; preserve culture; promote art; support libraries, museums, schools and the university; grant scholarships; foster economic development; advocate for the environment; maintain trails; preserve historical and archeological sites; organize community festivals, plays, concerts, lectures, exhibits and field trips; and much more.
This past year, nonprofits have had to be more inventive than ever. Although they accomplish most of their goals with the help of volunteers, they also need money to stay in operation and reach their goals, and the Give Grandly! fundraiser is a tremendous help.
With each successive year, more and more organizations have participated in Give Grandly! and more funds have been raised. Mid-pandemic last year, the community came through in a big way, contributing a total of more $220,000 in donations and matching funds for the 52 participating nonprofits.
“That amount of money is pretty incredible, given where we are and the demographics of our population,” said Carol Fugagli, one of last year’s organizers. “People here are just extraordinarily generous and civic-minded.”
Give Grandly! could top $1 million in total funds raised over the years with a strong showing this year.
Generous sponsors are already lining up to provide matching funds, including Freeport-McMoRan, United Way of Southern New Mexico, James Edd Hughs and Kevin Thompson of Edward Jones, Hidalgo Medical Services and Janey Katz and Suzi Calhoun.
Since the pandemic is still with us, the Give Grandly Coalition has been exercising its ingenuity in coming up with ways to celebrate. It is getting the word out with help from the Silver City Daily Press and local radio stations. Gila Mimbres Community Radio right now is airing interviews with the 57 participating nonprofits on the “Noon O’Clock” show from noon to 1 pm (tune in to KURU 89.1 Silver City or www.gmcr.org). And on the big day, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., GMCR will run all the interviews, interspersed with music and entertainment and donation updates.
This year, the Give Grandly Coalition is working on a brand-new online donation platform, for which a generous grant has been obtained from the McCune Charitable Foundation. No change in the web address—go to the familiar www.givegrandly.org to learn more about the participating nonprofits and to donate to your favorite causes. There will also be giving kiosks on May 8th at the Silver City Farmers’ Market on Pope Street and the Makers’ Market at Main Street Plaza off Bullard.
Everyone who donates in person or online up to 2 p.m. will have a chance to win one of the raffle baskets. Donations made directly to the participating organizations for Give Grandly! will count towards matching funds. No matter how big or small the donation, everyone can be a philanthropist and support our area nonprofits. Give a little, give a lot, give local - Give Grandly!
