BIG Thanks for GiveBIG

“GiveBIG” the Seattle Foundation said, and wow did those who love the Methow Valley respond!  It was so energizing to get emails throughout the day yesterday showing new donations coming in from across Washington State.  

Sarah Brooks, Heide Andersen, Jason Paulsen, John Sunderland, and Dawn Woodruff
on our office deck energized by GiveBIG!

All told, 90 donations came in to the Methow Conservancy yesterday, raising more than $27,000 for conservation in the Methow Valley.  Though we don’t keep detailed records of this, I can assure you this is far and away a one-day donation record in terms of numbers of donations.  It may take us a day or two to get all those thank you letters out!  Amazing!  (We’re still waiting to hear on our “stretch” amount – the bonus gift from the Seattle Foundation-- but it should be great!). 

According to the Seattle Foundations website, GiveBIG brought in more 37,000 gifts totaling more than $7.4 million in just one day – easily doubling the results from last year.  Our 90 donors were a part of a huge day of giving and as a donor myself, I got caught up in the rush of being a part of something big.

It was a good reminder that giving can and should be fun.  It should feel good.  It should remind us about what we value and it should provide a way for us to express those values.  The day was a tangible sign that groups of people can band together to change the world, as the the incredible giving from yesterday will spur more than 1000 nonprofits to do good in the year to come.

Thanks to all who helped spread the word, who gave yesterday, and who support us any time of the year.  Your trust in us to make your dreams for the Methow Valley come true makes us all very proud.  I’m looking forward to sharing many more stories on this blog of “proof” of how we are putting your conservation investments to work on the ground in the Methow.

I’m reminded of a quote I heard recently at a conference from a fundraising colleague, Peter Drury, in Seattle:  “Philanthropy is born not of wealth, but of generosity.”  We sure do live in a generous state. 

-- Sarah Brooks is the Associate Director at the Methow Conservancy.  She's hoping to run 26.2 miles this weekend in the Vancouver marathon in honor of the more than $26,000 raised yesterday!