When the first North Texas Giving Day took place in 2009, it was like lightning. No one thought that much money could be raised within a community for area non-profits within hours. Some simply wrote it off as a fluke, a flash in the pan.
When it was announced that a second NTGD would take place the following year, eyebrows raised throughout the North Texas area and around the country. Could it possibly match the previous year’s effort? It not only did, it beat it.
By the third year in 2011, the dang thing overwhelmed the online operation and folks were forced to resort to using their phones to call in donations, and the original timeline of 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. was extended to midnight. Despite that hiccup, NTGD once again beat the previous year’s record.
And so it’s been. Each year another record breaker is achieved, to the relief of thousands of charities.
According to Brent Christopher, who launched this juggernaut of philanthropy before becoming president of the Children’s Medical Center Foundation, “It’s stunning to watch this community take advantage of North Texas Giving Day in more creative ways every year. Everyone is making a huge collective investment in our quality of life. I remember Year One, when the computers started smoking trying to process just $4 million in gifts. Now, the community has reached giving levels more than 15 times that amount, and people’s generosity is shining brighter than ever. That impact is so inspirational, and there’s clearly no stopping now!”
During the past month, MySweetCharity’s North Texas Giving Day Booster series of incredible organizations has provided just a hint of the amazing programs that make this community outstanding.
Under the leadership of Communities Foundation of Texas CEO/President Dave Scullins, the CFT team is rearing to raise money. In addition to having streamlined the online giving, they’ve prepared in-person events and programs throughout the area Thursday to gin up the excitement of supporting North Texas non-profits.
So, prepare your email boxes to get hit with requests starting at 6 a.m. for 18 hours. We’ll keep you posted on the progress throughout the day to see if still another record is broken.
If you want to get a head start, go here and find your favorite non-profit(s) to support.
* Graphic courtesy of 2022 North Texas Giving Day