On Saturday May 14, 50 nonprofit organizations gathered at 7th and Bullard in Silver City and at Leyendecker Plaza in Deming. They informed and engaged active citizenry about their organizations. The social issues and unmet needs, that these nonprofits are working every day to address, were the reasons individuals gave grandly. Apparently the public was so impressed they generously gave to the effort a total of $100,000, according to Barrett Brewer, Chair of the Grant County Community Foundation and Peggy Hutchinson, Treasurer of the Foundation. For the third year in a row, The Grant County Community Foundation was the sponsoring organization for the entire event, which benefits the member organizations of The Southwest New Mexico Nonprofit Coalition.
The Foundation raised $12,500 in matching funds so that every organization that raised $250 got $250 for a minimum of $500. Of the 50 participants 46 met their match. Michael Zaragoza, the United Way Partner for the event, was on hand all day to navigate the website issues. Next year the website will be perfect. Brewer also said that United Way was terrific to work with and proved to be a strong financial partner along with Freeport, First American Bank, James Edd Hughs / Edward Jones, The McCune Foundation and the Sherman Community Foundation, who are collectively responsible for the matching fund pool.
Special thanks are due to Event Co-Chairs, Carol Fugagli and Karen Weller Watson who were the boots on the ground in SC. With their expert direction and with the brawn and brains of their committee, the entire event went flawlessly. Local restaurants donated delectable offerings for a GǣFood TableGǥ which gleaned enough donations to make the match for the Southwest New Mexico Nonprofit Coalition.
Give Grandly is a wonderful example of group purpose. The $100,000 raised is an impressive collective impact. Organizations came together to tell our community with one strong voice ot appreciate what nonprofits do to care for our community with compassion and dignity. All the citizens of Grant and Luna Counties should share in the pride that goes with this success.
Next year we hope we can again coordinate with the FarmersG