‘GiveNOLA’ Day features dozens of Catholic entities

By Christine Bordelon, Clarion Herald

The fifth annual, 24-hour charitable giving day, known as GiveNOLA Day, will be held this year from 12:01 a.m. through 11:59 p.m. on May 1. (Early online giving will begin on April 24 on givenola.org.)

GiveNOLA Day is hosted by the Greater New Orleans Foundation and was devised to inspire donations to community nonprofit organizations that make a difference in people’s lives in southeastern Louisiana.

Steady growth

The 2017 campaign raised nearly $4.9 million from more than 238,000 donations, said Blathrae Gillin, the GNO Foundation’s communications and marketing associate. That’s more than double the $2.2 million raised in 2013, the first year of the event.

“And it has been growing every year,” Gillin said. “Our goal this year is $5 million – $5 million for five years.”

Gillin said more nonprofits register to participate every year. In 2013, 309 nonprofits participated. This year, 766 nonprofits from all over southeastern Louisiana have signed up.

The minimum donation that can be made to any of the nonprofits is $10. Once a donation is made online, a confirmation and email receipt will be sent to the donor. There is no limit on how much or how many times a donor can give during the day. All donations are also 100 percent tax-deductible. 

As in past years, hourly “Around the Clock” awards will be donated to nonprofits randomly every hour as a bonus.

The public can get personally involved by stopping by the GiveNOLA Fest from 5-8 p.m. at the Center for Philanthropy, 919 St. Charles Ave. in New Orleans. Irma Thomas and the Soul Rebels will perform, and there will be food and drinks available for sale from Taceaux Loceaux, Blue Oak BBQ, Pressed, Company Burger and Brennan’s Catering. A portion of the proceeds will benefit the Lagniappe Fund (awarded to organizations that raise the most money). People also can donate to enter a drawing for a pair of round-trip tickets from Southwest Airlines.

Catholic ties to giving day

Among the Catholic nonprofits participating this year are the Academy of the Sacred Heart, Café Hope and Café Reconcile, Catholic Charities Archdiocese of New Orleans, Christian Brothers School, De La Salle High School, Daughters of Charity Foundation, Drexel Prep Foundation, Edgar “Dooky” Jr. and Leah Chase Foundation, Friends of St. Alphonsus, The Good Shepherd School, the Good Samaritan Ministry at St. Luke the Evangelist Catholic Church, the Harry Tompson Center, Holy Name of Jesus School, Holy Rosary Academy and High School, Hope House, Mercy Endeavors, Mercy Family Center, Mount Carmel Academy, Ozanam Inn, New Orleans People program, Project Lazarus, St. Peter Claver Foundation, St. Vincent de Paul Tri-Parish Community Pharmacy, St. Augustine High School, St. Jude Community Center, St. Katharine Drexel Prep, St. Louis King of France, St. Mary’s Academy Alumnae Association, St. Michael Special School, St. Paul’s School, Stuart Hall School for Boys, University of Holy Cross, Ursuline Academy,  Woman’s New Life Center and Xavier University of Louisiana.

Gillin said there are similar giving days nationwide. GiveNOLA works with CiviCore to manage its donations.

To make a donation, visit www.GiveNOLA.org all day on May 1. For general details on GiveNOLA Day, visit the website www.gnof.org.