Columbia, South Carolina – Midlands Gives Day, an annual 18-hour online giving event by the Central Carolina Community Foundation, collected $4,590,973 through 19,267 individual donations. The 11th edition of the event was held on Tuesday, May 7, 2024, supporting 574 local nonprofits—the highest number in its 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,” said Interim CEO, Kevin Patten.
Eleven years and more than $28.7 million raised
Since its inception in 2014, Midlands Gives has raised $28,739,831 for hundreds of nonprofits across 11 counties: Calhoun, Clarendon, Fairfield, Kershaw, Lee, Lexington, Newberry, Orangeburg, Richland, Saluda, and Sumter.
Every year, thousands of local philanthropists contribute to strengthening the region’s nonprofits. Of each donation, minus a 2.2% credit card fee and a 2.8% technology fee from Neon One, 100% goes directly to the donor’s chosen nonprofit. Donors could choose to cover these fees at checkout. The Foundation itself doesn’t receive any fees from Midlands Gives.
Read also: Columbia ramps up trash collection services as college move-out season arrives
Gifts go further with $104,000 in prize incentives
The In Good Company Network, which includes Aflac, BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina, Columbia Fireflies, Dominion Energy, Southeastern Freight Lines, Truist, and others, offered financial incentives, matching gifts, and prizes on May 7 to amplify individual donations of $10 or more. Many nonprofits also secured matching gifts from generous community donors.
“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. Here’s the detailed breakdown of each fund’s dollar-for-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 Place Children 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
Read also: Columbia announces city’s participation in Bloomberg Philanthropies’ Youth Climate Action Fund
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.
