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Nonprofits, register now for Midlands Gives




Central Carolina Community Foundation is partnering with the Columbia Fireflies to house the new headquarters for Midlands Gives, the 24-hour online giving challenge Tuesday, May 3, 2016, in the brand new Spirit Communications Park in Columbia. Nonprofits who wish to participate in Midlands Gives can register through February 29, 2016, at www.midlandsgives.org.

Midlands Gives, presented by Central Carolina Community Foundation—the Midlands’ expert on philanthropy— raised an astonishing $1.5 million in one day for more than 250 nonprofits from 11 counties in 2015, nearly double what was raised in its inaugural year in 2014.

Spirit Communications Park, opening in April 2016, is home to Columbia’s new Minor League Baseball team, the Columbia Fireflies, the Class A affiliate of the New York Mets. Nestled in the emerging Bull Street development, the park is a 365-day per year multi-use venue and public park, featuring a 1/3-mile concourse for exercisers. The venue boasts several suites and an expansive lounge, with capacity for 9,000 at sporting events and 15,000+ for major events.

“The community and all participating nonprofits are invited to join us at the new ballpark on May 3 for a day-long rally of giving,” says JoAnn Turnquist, president and CEO of Central Carolina Community Foundation. “We are certain this ‘luminous’ new headquarters will only serve to supercharge the electrifying momentum of community generosity that builds during Midlands Gives.”

High-energy power hours, prize giveaways, and milestone celebrations punctuate the 24- hour day of giving, along with games and contests for nonprofits and community supporters; activities for kids and families; concessions; and entertainment sessions. More details about Midlands Gives headquarters at Spirit Communications Park May 3, 2016, as well as a full list of confirmed, participating nonprofits will be released closer to the event date.

Fourteen local businesses have stepped forward to elevate Midlands Gives day by providing more than $95,000 in prize incentives and power hours (a 200 percent increase from 2015). The prizes will be available to nonprofits via random giveaways, challenge matching funds, fun events at headquarters, and giver-generated milestones (like Power Hours). In addition, the foundation’s affiliate endowments in Orangeburg and Calhoun, Chapin, Kershaw, and Sumter will once again offer $20,000 in bonus pools for nonprofits in their counties. Businesses interested in joining Midlands Gives and sponsoring a prize should contact the foundation’s donor relations manager, Ebony Perkins, at ebony@yourfoundation.org or 803. 978.7816.

Nonprofit organizations have until Monday, February 29, 2016, to register for Midlands Gives at midlandsgives.org. Any 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organization in good standing with the IRS with a local office in one of the 11 Midlands counties the foundation serves is eligible to participate. Community members can get involved this year by encouraging local nonprofits they support to register for Midlands Gives. To learn more about Midlands Gives and the registration process, visit midlandsgives.org or contact the Foundation’s Midlands Gives Coordinator at midlandsgives@yourfoundation.org.



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