2017 Give BIG San Bernardino County Returns to Assist Local Nonprofits

The Community Foundation is pleased to announce the return of Give BIG San Bernardino County, an exciting 24-hour web-a-thon to increase philanthropy in San Bernardino County through online giving. Give BIG San Bernardino County is slated for Tuesday, Nov. 28, 2017. The 24-hour online event, which will be held at www.givebigsbcounty.org, is designed to generate funding for nonprofits in the county while building a culture of philanthropy and giving throughout the community. On Nov. 28, donors are encouraged to go online and give to their favorite local causes and charities and celebrate their donations on social media using #GiveBIGSBCounty. Since inception, Give BIG San Bernardino County has raised $1 million for local nonprofits. Last year, 3,342 unique donors gave to more than 100 nonprofits totaling $271,000, surpassing last year’s $241,217 total. “We look forward to bringing our great community together once again on November 28, 2017,” said Paula Myles, Interim President and CEO of The Community Foundation, which is coordinating Give BIG San Bernardino County with support by the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors.  “It’s truly a successful model that showcases the collective power of philanthropy in the county, and highlights the important role nonprofits play in our communities.” Creating a culture of philanthropy is a major priority in San Bernardino County and the Inland Empire, where poverty rates rank among the highest in the nation. According to the Southern California Association of Governments, 19 percent of Inland Empire residents – and 26 percent of children – live below the poverty line.  Compounding this challenge is a rapidly growing population. Currently home to more than 2 million people, San Bernardino County is projected to be among the fastest growing regions in the United States. Thanks to funding and support from the County of San Bernardino Board of Supervisors and the contributions of generous sponsors, Give BIG San Bernardino County is providing valuable training to nonprofits in the use of social media, cultivating relationships with donors, developing a communications plan, and raising much-needed funds from online donors. These online donations provide critical funding to help nonprofits not only address poverty but also other challenges the county residents face in the areas of education, health, the environment, public safety, family and youth services. Nonprofits are encouraged to sign up for the 2017 Give BIG San Bernardino County campaign.  For more information and updates, please visit The Community Foundation.