$4.5 million raised for Midlands nonprofits: Another record-breaking year

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COLUMBIA, S.C. – Midlands Gives Day, Central Carolina Community Foundation’s annual 18-hour online giving challenge, raised $4,588,248 via 19,264 individual gifts. The eleventh annual online day of giving took place on Tuesday, May 7, 2024, and supported 574 local nonprofits — the most nonprofits in Midlands Gives history.

“We continue to be awestruck by the level of generosity in our community. Over $28 million has been raised in the last 11 years, and these dollars stay in the Midlands to have a direct impact locally,” shared Interim CEO, Kevin Patten.

Eleven years and more than $28,739,831 million raised

Since the inception of Midlands Gives in 2014, donors have contributed $28,739,831 million for hundreds of local nonprofits in the Community Foundation’s 11-county service area: Calhoun, Clarendon, Fairfield, Kershaw, Lee, Lexington, Newberry, Orangeburg, Richland, Saluda and Sumter.

Annually, thousands of everyday philanthropists support the positive impact nonprofits have on the region’s well-being.

One hundred percent of each contribution, less a 2.2% credit card fee and a 2.8% Neon One technology fee, will go directly to the donor’s selected nonprofit. Donors had the option to cover these fees at checkout. The Foundation does not receive any fees from Midlands Gives.

Gifts go further with $104,000 in prize incentives

In Good Company Network members — including Aflac, BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina, Columbia Fireflies, Dominion Energy, Southeastern Freight Lines, Truist, and more —provided financial incentives, matching gifts and prizes for nonprofits on May 7, amplifying individuals’ contributions of $10 or more. Additionally, many nonprofits secured matching gifts from generous donors throughout the community.

“We are grateful to our In Good Company partners who support Midlands Gives and our local nonprofits. Their commitment to the community creates excitement around the giving day and amplifies donations from thousands of donors,” said Erin Johnson, vice president of community investment.

The Foundation’s affiliate funds, Greater Chapin Community Foundation, Kershaw County Community Foundation, Orangeburg and Calhoun Counties Community Foundation, and Sumter Community Foundation, received $43,307 in matching funds. Below is a breakdown of each fund’s dollar-to-dollar match.

• Greater Chapin Community Foundation – $6,716 to 17 nonprofits

• Kershaw County Community Foundation – $9,066 to 28 nonprofits

• Orangeburg and Calhoun Counties Community Foundation – $21,041 to 45 nonprofits

• Sumter Community Foundation – $6,484 to 27 nonprofits

Community uplifts local nonprofits at Midlands Gives Block Party

Hundreds of community members from the Midlands region came together at Segra Park on Midlands Gives Day to celebrate philanthropy. Elected officials from the Foundation’s 11-county service area participated in the Central Carolina Community Foundation Elected Officials Challenge. Each participant’s chosen nonprofit organization received up to $500. In total, $5,500 was distributed to 11 nonprofit organizations.

• Mayor Daniel Rickenmann (City of Columbia) – Dyslexia Resource Center

• Senator Tamekia Isaac Devine (Senator District 19) – City Year Columbia

• Mayor Tem Miles (City of West Columbia) – West Columbia Beautification Foundation

• Mayor Tom Andrews (City of Forest Acres) – The Therapy Place

• Mayor Hazel Livingston (Town of Lexington) – Mission Lexington and Palmetto Childrens and Youth Services

• Jim Crosland, Deputy City Manager (City of Cayce) – Cayce Public Safety Foundation

• The Honorable Jesica Mackey (Richland County Council Chair) – Richland County First Steps

• Mayor Julia Nelson (City of Manning) – Lee County First Steps

• The Honorable Beth Carrigg (Lexington County Council Chair) – Big Red Barn Retreat

• Councilman Russell Brazell (Kershaw County Council) – Kershaw County Sheriffs Foundation

Early giving donations count toward leaderboard totals

Early giving for Midlands Gives Day ran from April 1 through May 6. This allowed an entire month of early gifts to count toward Midlands Gives Day leaderboard totals. More than $1.1 million was raised before the giving day.

About Central Carolina Community Foundation
Central Carolina Community Foundation, the Midlands’ leader in collaborative philanthropy, is a nonprofit organization serving 11 counties in the Midlands of South Carolina by distributing grants and scholarships and linking the resources of donors, nonprofits and area leaders to communities in need. Major initiatives include the online giving challenge Midlands Gives, Connected Communities grants, the One SC Fund and annual scholarships. For more information about the Foundation, visit www.yourfoundation.org or call (803) 254-5601.