The Give Grandly Coalition of nonprofits, with the help of the Grant County Community Foundation, is building the 10th annual community fundraising event. The small communities in Grant, Luna, Catron and Hidalgo counties support scores of nonprofits, many of which depend heavily on volunteers, grants and donations.
Give Grandly provides the community with a chance to give back area nonprofits which add to the quality of life in southwest New Mexico.
“Give Grandly has showed us the power of a community,” said Stephen Lindsey of Future Forge. “We are proud to be a part of this event, not only for the funds, but for the exposure, the connections, the friendships, and the ability to act as a resource and partner to other nonprofits.”
In 2014, Give Grandly began as a statewide fundraising day. In 2015, when the rest of the state lost interest in the event, the Grant County Community Foundation decided it was worthwhile to go it alone. Local community response has been overwhelming, raising more than a million dollars over the last eight years. Last year alone, the community raised more than $264,000 for the 59 participating nonprofits.
Every year, each participating nonprofit has the opportunity to earn up to $500 in matching funds.
“The impact of matching funds on fundraising during Give Grandly is huge,” Bernadette Smyth, Executive Director of Grant County Community Foundation said. “It’s such a wonderful thing for local businesses or individuals to do for this community.”
“During Covid, we hadn’t been able to be there in person with our checkbooks,” one local philanthropist said, “so this has been a great way for us to continue to support our community. And it’s a great way for others to do so, too.”
Annual matching fund supporters, including Freeport McMoRaN, United Way of Southwest New Mexico, the Sherman Foundation, Griffin’s Propane, Vladimir Gnilozubov and Jennifer McKeen Villegas of Edward Jones and Better Homes and Gardens have pledged funds again this year.
There is still time for businesses or individuals to sponsor this event by pledging matching funds. Contact Bernadette Smyth at the Grant County Community Foundation at grantcountycommunityfoundation@gmail.com.
The event, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, May 6, is in downtown Silver City where participating organizations will showcase their work to the local community. The Future Forge hists the event on the opening day of the Makers’ Market in the newly renovated Main Street Plaza located off Bullard Street, next to the Big Ditch Park in Silver City. Gila Mimbres Community Radio 89.1 is broadcasting interviews with the nonprofits all day.
In addition to in person, donations can be made by visiting www.givegrandly.org, where information on all the participating nonprofits can be found. The website will be open for donations for two weeks before and after the in-person event.
