Go Big Give a Week Away

Listen to an interview with Karen Rathke at the bottom of the page.

The Heartland United Way and Greater Grand Island Community Foundation are hosting the 11th annual Go Big GIVE day of giving on Thursday, May 2, 2024. Go Big GIVE is a 24-hour online giving event where anyone can be a philanthropist by visiting GoBigGIVE.org and making a donation to their favorite participating nonprofit organizations. Each Go Big GIVE gift will grow with match-pool funds and incentive prizes.  155 local nonprofit organizations are registered in Hall, Hamilton, Howard, and Merrick Counties with various missions involving animal welfare, armed forces, arts and culture, community improvement, education, environment, health, human services, recreation and fitness, and youth development. 

Community members who want to support these organizations can “pre-give” their gift at GoBigGIVE.org April 22 – May 1. With one additional click, donors can add to their gift with the option to “Support Them All.” Donations made to the “Support Them All” fund will be equally dispersed among all participating nonprofits.  An additional way to support these organizations is to participate in the pre-give and day of giving events that are happening in the four counties. New this year to look for are dine out events and round up opportunities to “support them all.”

Anyone can find details for these events on our website. The Heartland United Way and Greater Grand Island Community Foundation are hosting a Go Big GIVE Kick-Off Event, which is generously sponsored by Lutz. This event will take place at The Hideout Banquet Hall in Grand Island on Wednesday, May 1st from 4:30 pm – 6:30 pm, and there will be a live prize drawing for $500 awarded to a participating nonprofit. Donors can also create a “Fundraising Page” on behalf of a participating organization (similar to a Go Fund Me page) now through May 2.

“Fundraising Pages” are a great way for donors to take action and encourage others to support their favorite nonprofit organization! In ten years of Go Big GIVE, 216 nonprofits have been impacted through the 37,015 donations made totaling $9,095,328. Go Big GIVE also benefits nonprofit organizations by increasing their support and visibility, attracting new donors, and encouraging everyone to be involved in this four county effort to raise funds and awareness.  Participating nonprofits are eligible to receive match pool funds and incentive prizes when donations are made online at GoBigGive.org,

Our sponsors help to make this event possible through these opportunities. Thank you to Hornady Manufacturing, Eihusen Foundation, Greater Grand Island Community Foundation, Heartland United Way, Bud & Gloria Wolbach Foundation, and Lutz for Sponsoring Go Big GIVE 2024.  We hope you will be part of Go Big GIVE by making a BIG difference! Visit GoBigGIVE.org to GIVE today. This year, on May 2nd, Go Big GIVE Headquarters is located at Heartland United Way from 8:00 am – 8:00 pm.  Go Big GIVE is a 24-hour, online giving event on May 2, 2024 organized by Greater Grand Island Community Foundation and Heartland United Way to grow philanthropy in Hall, Hamilton, Howard and Merrick Counties. For more information, please email give@GoBigGIVE.org.