Press Release: November 19, 2008

 
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Carol Harmon, 614/545-3236 or 614/738-2755
Match Day 2.0 Logo

THE COLUMBUS FOUNDATION'S 
MATCH DAY 2.0 LEVERAGES $1,265,564 IN GIVING TO CENTRAL OHIO NONPROFITS IN JUST OVER 24 HOURS!

Community Giving Stimulus Supports 254 Central Ohio Nonprofit Organizations

Columbus, OH (November 19, 2008)—The Columbus Foundation, its donors and the community responded generously to the growing needs of central Ohio nonprofit organizations by contributing more than $1.2 million to strengthen the community during PowerPhilanthropy® Match Day 2.0 on November 18 and 19.

The Columbus Foundation matched $300,000 in gifts during Match Day 2.0 in the amount of 50 cents of every dollar contributed, with a maximum match of $1,250 for a $2,500 donation. All matching funds were exhausted within 34 minutes of the start of the public match today at 2:00 p.m. Many participants opted to give more than the amount matched, and continued to give after the matching funds were exhausted, in some cases as much as $25,000. Matched contributions ranged from $20 to $2,500.

“Match Day 2.0 shows that Columbus is unmatched in its responsiveness to those in need,” Douglas F. Kridler, president and CEO of The Columbus Foundation said. “The Columbus Foundation devoted an enormous amount of human and financial resources to make this happen for our community, and we are elated to have helped donors and the public throughout our community help others.”

The community’s response to Match Day 2.0 was extraordinary. While the goal of Match Day 2.0 was $1 million in 48 hours, that number was surpassed in just over 24 hours. The Columbus Foundation processed 650 gifts in 17 minutes—1,000 gifts in 40 minutes.

Giving was top of mind for kindergartners in Martha Mercuri’s Berwick Alternative Elementary School classroom today. Her class of 27 students have been collecting pennies and donated $100 to Ohio Nature Education, a nonprofit offering environmental education programs, and secured $150 for the organization.  

“We’re a math and science school and we are always looking at ways to help and protect animals,” Mercuri said. “My kids knew at 2:00 p.m. today we needed to get online to make our donation.”

Match Day 2.0 was created to elevate the importance of programs and nonprofit initiatives throughout central Ohio during tough and uncertain economic times, Match Day 2.0 utilized the Foundation’s online community resource, PowerPhilanthropy. PowerPhilanthropy allows donors and the public to view detailed program, management, and financial information on more than 440 area nonprofit organizations online at www.columbusfoundation.org.

Find out if your nonprofit received donations during Match Day 2.0, view the complete list. 

The launch of PowerPhilanthropy was celebrated with the initial Match Day in March 2008, which helped raise more than $815,000 for the community, and benefited 245 area nonprofit organizations.

For more information, call 614/251-4000, or e-mail p2@columbusfoundation.org.

About The Columbus Foundation
The Columbus Foundation is the trusted philanthropic advisor to nearly 1,700 individuals, families, and businesses who have created unique funds to make a difference in the lives of others through the most effective philanthropy possible. Serving the region for 65 years, The Columbus Foundation is one of the ten largest community foundations in the United States today. For more information, visit www.columbusfoundation.org.