BUCYRUS, OH (CRAWFORD COUNTY NOW)—For the tenth year, The Community Foundation for Crawford County is participating in #GivingTuesday, a global day of giving fueled by the power of social media. Celebrated on the first Tuesday after Thanksgiving, this year’s event falls on December 3. The Foundation refers to it as “#Giving2sday,” highlighting that each donation will inspire a second gift, thanks to a lump sum set aside by the Board.

This year, the Foundation’s matching funds have been bolstered by contributions from The Mason Companies, E-Z-Go (a Textron Company), Ehrhart’s Party Store, Geenex, ADM Benefit Plans Agency, and the Hord Family Donor Advised Fund, creating a total pool of $35,000 to be distributed to participating Foundation funds.

“#Giving2sday comes right on the heels of Community Foundation Week (Nov. 12 – 18) and National Philanthropy Day (Nov. 15),” explained Lisa Workman, the Foundation’s President. “Since people give to people, we offer a peer-to-peer fundraising platform which allows people to mobilize their unique set of contacts for donations. We also encourage donors to consider directing a portion of their gift to our Crawford Impact Fund, as that is the fund from which we disburse strategic grants in our community.”

To maximize the success of #Giving2sday, the Foundation is leveraging social media to raise funds. Participants are encouraged to visit their website, cfcrawford.org/giving2sday, or cfcrawford.networkforgood.com, where they can create their own fundraising page and use provided templates to email contacts or post requests on Facebook. Donations made on these websites through December 3 will count towards the event, but checks must be dated December 3 to be included. Checks can also be left in the secure drop box behind the Foundation’s office at 254 E. Mansfield St. in Bucyrus, or taken to the Crestline Public Library or the Galion-Crestline Chamber of Commerce on December 3 between 11:00 AM and 1:00 PM.

Jennifer Stirm, Foundation Board member and Chair of the Development Committee, announced a special incentive for #Giving2sday. “Mizick Miller has given us a generous gift of $1,500. With this gift, we’re holding the Mizick Miller 500 Contest, where an additional $500 will be added to the top-earning fund in each of three categories: agency, scholarship, and school funds.”

In 2023, the Foundation contributed over $925,000 in grants, scholarships, and endowment disbursements in Crawford County. Home is Why!