DALLAS (WBAP/KLIF)- North Texas Giving Tuesday Now, the joint giving effort between United Way of Metropolitan Dallas, Communities Foundation of Texas, and Dallas Cowboys, closed out 18 hours of philanthropy with nearly 45,000 donors giving more than $20.7 million to more than 2,500 North Texas nonprofits. Additionally, more than 9,400 donors pledged nearly 300,000 volunteer hours.
Furthermore, since the COVID-19 pandemic hit barely a month ago, generous foundations, companies, and individual donors have come together to contribute $21.8 million to relief funds managed by the United Way of Metropolitan Dallas, Communities Foundation of Texas, The Dallas Foundation, and North Texas Community Foundation.
“We continue to be blown away by this uniquely philanthropic and heartfelt community,” said Dave Scullin, president and CEO of Communities Foundation of Texas—founder of North Texas Giving Day. “Seeing the nearly 45,000 donors and volunteers come together at a distance for North Texas Giving Tuesday Now underscores our incredible local bond in support of each other through our critical nonprofit sector. ”
While in-person events are cancelled, event organizers and nonprofits hosted virtual musical concerts and art performances and volunteer opportunities to increase awareness, raise money, collect needed essential goods, and truly celebrate philanthropy.
“In these uncertain and challenging times, the spirit of North Texas shines bright,” said Jennifer Sampson, president and CEO of United Way of Metropolitan Dallas. “We are encouraged and inspired by the generosity of our community, but not surprised. Because when you live and work alongside North Texans—people with great courage and great compassion—great things happen. The extraordinary results of this collaborative effort is another endorsement of what we already know—we’re better together.”
North Texas Giving Tuesday Now took place simultaneously with the global #GivingTuesdayNow event and served as the local effort. The online campaign launched on April 14, 2020 with early giving and culminated with 18 hours of giving on May 5.
“We were thrilled to be part of this community-empowering day that really showcased the amazing heart of this region,” said Charlotte Jones, Dallas Cowboys Vice President and Chief Brand Officer.
North Texas Giving Tuesday Now was hosted on the North Texas Giving Day platform. It provided donors and volunteers the ability to search by various categories, including organizations on the COVID-19 frontlines, cause, location, and size.
The full list of results (sortable by organization name, total gifts or total dollars) is listed at https://northtexasgivingday.org/leaderboard. Results on the website are subject to final review and verification. Updated totals should be available after May 19. Donations to the relief funds are still being accepted.
Support for North Texas Giving Tuesday Now has been committed by: The Dallas Cowboys, Communities Foundation of Texas, United Way of Metropolitan Dallas, Arlington Tomorrow Foundation, Allen Fairview Chamber of Commerce, Dallas Regional Chamber, Metropolitan Press, North Dallas Chamber of Commerce, NorthPark Center, Plano Chamber of Commerce and the Richardson Chamber of Commerce. Media sponsors so far include: Cumulus Radio, Dallas Doing Good, The Dallas Morning News, DHD Films, WFAA-Channel 8.
