By: Jeffrey Lapin
Today, May 16, 2013, is “Give to Lincoln Day” a day dedicated to people living in Lincoln and Lancaster County, Nebraska, to donate money to local non-profit organizations. From 12:00 am to 11:59 pm people or companies can donate to qualifying local non-profit organizations. The Lincoln Community Foundation, who is sponsoring the day, along with other sponsors, will be giving away $200,000 as well to these non-profits.
WHAT IS “GIVE TO LINCOLN DAY?”
Give to Lincoln Day, according to the sponsors:
It is one special day when everyone in Lincoln is asked to make a donation and show support for our local nonprofit organizations that contribute so much to our great city. Together, we have the power to raise thousands of dollars and have a real impact on the future of Lincoln.
Today is a chance for people in Lincoln and Lancaster County to support the non-profits that help people, pets and the community. It is a chance to give back if you have received assistance or just give to help keep Lincoln a great place to live.
THE LINCOLN COMMUNITY FOUNDATION
The Lincoln Community Foundation (LCF), the main sponsor of Give to Lincoln Day, website states:
The noble goal of the Lincoln Community Foundation can be summarized in two simple words: Lincoln Forever.
These two words capture the essence of our mission. And the belief of those who contribute through the Foundation that, together, we can create a better place to live, work and play. Not just for today, but for the generations to come.
The LCF got involved with Give Lincoln Day because:
The need for funding has never been greater as our nonprofits are stretched to meet current needs and carry out their work. The mission of the Lincoln Community Foundation is to encourage philanthropy, which is a vital component of a strong city, and to grant funds to improve our community.
The LCF created promotional material to help spread the word about Give to Lincoln Day.
Other sponsors of Give to Lincol Day include: Acklie Charitable Foundation; Cooper Foundation; Cornhusker Bank; Mapes Industries; T.O. Haas Tire & Auto; Union Bank & Trust Company; U-STOP Convenience Shops; West Gate Bank; and Woods Charitable Fund.
LAST YEAR’S GIVE TO LINCOLN DAY
May 17, 2012, was the first “Give to Lincoln Day.” According to Give to Lincoln Day website:
- More than $1.3 million dollars was raised in just 24 hours;
- 5,448 individuals made donations to 187 local nonprofit organizations;
- 51% of donors made a first time gift to a new nonprofit;
- 80% of donors said this day motivated them to make an additional gift; and
- 93% think the event should be repeated.
As it was a huge success last year, Give to Lincoln Day is back again this year with the hope of raising more money and getting more donors.
WHO QUALIFIES AS A NON-PROFIT TO PARTICIPATE
To qualify as a “non-profit organization” for Give to Lincoln Day:
Nonprofit organizations recognized by the IRS as 501(c)(3) public charities that serve the people of Lincoln and Lancaster County and have an office in the County are eligible to register for Give To Lincoln Day. Organizations that exist primarily for religious purposes (including houses of worship and their foundations) or political activities are excluded from participating. Organizations that discriminate based on race, gender, sexual preference, age, disability, creed or ethnic group are also excluded.
This year, 402 non-profit organizations qualified. Some of the qualifiers, which the author is familiar with, include: Bright Lights Inc.; Capital Humane Society; Center For People In Need Inc.; Clinic With A Heart Inc.; Friendship Home of Lincoln; Junior Achievement of Lincoln Inc.; Legal Aid of Nebraska; Lighthouse; Lincoln Childrens Museum; Lincoln Childrens Zoo; Lincoln-Lancaster County Child Advocacy Center; Make-A-Wish of Nebraska; Matt Talbot Kitchen & Outreach Inc; Nebraska Appleseed Center For Law In The Public Interest Inc.; Peoples City Mission; Peoples Health Center; Pioneers Park Nature Center. A full listing of the non-profits can be found on the Give To Lincoln Day website: Browse Non-Profits
LCF DONATIONS AND PRIZES
The LCF, along with some sponsors, is offering a “challenge match” of $200,000. These funds will be distributed based on the percentage of donations the non-profit receives of the total online and offline contributions made on Give To Lincoln Day.
The LCF is also offering 3 different prize types, some to the non-profits that receive the most donations as well as some based on random drawings.
HOW YOU CAN DONATE
You are encouraged to donate online, which you can do by going to the Give to Lincoln website: www.GiveToLincoln.com. The website has a clock indicating how much time is left to give along with how much money has been donated, the number of donors and a “leaderboard” with the non-profits that have received the most donations. As this post was about to be posted, $1,080,503 had been donated by 3164 donors.
The minimum online donation is $10. There is a maximum donation limit per donor of $10,000 per nonprofit.
This year, the LCF partnered with Razoo for Give to Lincoln Day. According to a disclaimer on the home page for Give to Lincoln Day, it states:
All donations made on givetolincoln.razoo.comare made to the Razoo Foundation, a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization which permits donors to advise a regranting of their donations to other IRS recognized qualifying 501(c)(3). It’s Razoo Foundation’s normal practice to regrant 97.1% of its contribution to the qualifying organization as advised by the donor, retaining 2.9% for Razoo Foundation’s expenses (including credit card transaction costs).
Donors wishing that every penny go to the local non-profits are advised to take their donation to the LCF Building, which is located, at 215 Centennial Mall South. Lincoln, Nebraska, between 8:00 am and 5:00 pm.
SOURCES
Source information and images come from the following:
- Lincoln Community Foundation: Home page
- Give to Lincoln Day: Factsheet
- Give to Lincoln Day: FAQ
- Give to Lincoln Day: Give To Lincoln Day Ads
- Give to Lincoln Day: Give to Lincoln Logos
- Give to Lincoln Day: Prizes and Rules
- Give to Lincoln Day: Website Banners
CONCLUSION
Give to Lincoln Day is a terrific idea. I, as well as my family and Lapin Law Offices staff all support Lincoln and these non-profits organizations. We are involved in at least one of the non-profits participating in this year’s law Day. I would strongly urge everyone that currently resides in Lincoln and Lancaster County to donate what they can today as these non-profits have an direct impact on people’s lives and help make Lincoln a great place to live, work and raise a family. I would also encourage anyone who has made Lincoln a home in the past to donate as well.
Clickable link: www.GiveToLincoln.com
I, along with Lapin Law Offices, will be donating money and I hope you will as well. Let’s beat last year’s record.
ABOUT LAPIN LAW OFFICES
Lapin Law Offices is proud to call Lincoln, Nebraska, its home. We represent injured, abused and disabled clients in Lincoln and throughout Nebraska. Lapin Law Offices, its owner and staff, all live in Lincoln and support many non-profit organizations, which help make Lincoln one of the best cities in the country.
