Today is a day to open your hearts and your wallets. It's North Texas Giving Day!
All year long, nonprofits across North Texas donate their time, supplies, and services to those in need, and today the Communities Foundation of Texas is asking you to do the same for them in return.
"We know that organizations can only do the great work that they do if people support them financially," Senior Vice President and Chair of Giving and Community Impact Officer, Monica Christopher, said.
From six a.m. to midnight you can donate any amount your heart desires to one of the 3,300 nonprofit organizations participating in North Texas Giving Day.
The American Red Cross' Regional Director of Communications, Brian Murnahan, shared how impactful these funds can be as they are dispatched to help in natural disasters, wildfires, and more across our community.
"If it's 25 or if it's 50, if it's 500 or 1,000, it really does make a difference," Murnahan said. "When you just lost your home to a house fire and you need a place to stay, the Red Cross is there with those resources because you donated today."
Emphasizing his point of how any donation can help, he shared that a $50 donation is enough to keep someone sheltered with three meals a day.
There's a variety of organizations you can donate to during North Texas Day of Giving. Christopher said there is a cause or organization for everyone.
"If you care about education, or homelessness, or food pantries, or the arts and animals there is an organization in your county or in your neighborhood that you can support," Christopher said.
She explained that you can actually search who you want to donate to or organizations by county when you go to donate on their website at northtexasgivingday.org.
Wildlife on the Moves' Eric Brittingham says North Texas Giving Day helps keep his educational animal organization operating.
"North Texas Giving Day for us is a quarter of our budget," Brittingham said. "We rely on it to be kind of the undergirding foundation of our year."
Wildlife on the Move does live animal shows for schools and more to teach people about animals and help eliminate some fears people might have about them.
He says this funding helps them keep their animals safe and healthy.
In addition to giving back online, North Texans can enjoy numerous in-person giving day events you can see the full list here:
From 10 to noon, ChildCareGroup is hosting a free Family Resource Fair at Grauwyler Park in Dallas. There will be a DJ, games, activities, a book fair, a salsa and sweets cook-off, and volunteer opportunities.
From 10-11:30 a.m., The Human Impact invites everyone to join them for popsicles and community bonding. Featuring Factory Pops popsicle truck, the first 50 attendees will get a branded pair of Human Impact sunglasses. The Human Impact exists to befriend the homeless, bridge relational gaps, and build long-term community among the “chronically homeless.”
From 10 to 2 p.m., the 3rd annual Credit Union of Texas Honors Our Community Heroes Giving Day free event in Allen. Enjoy free coffee from Cozy Coffee and meet local nonprofits. Donations made enter nonprofits in a raffle to win prizes.
From 4:30-9:30 p.m., UGM is creating a stronger community by transforming lives to end homelessness one person at a time. This Community Fest event will feature outdoor movies with popcorn and snow cones, music from choirs and bands, and food trucks. Come meet great people who are on their way to achieving success by overcoming obstacles.
From 6:30-9:30 p.m., the free Arlington Gives! NTXGD concert presented by Arlington Tomorrow foundation at Levitt Pavilion features Jessee Lee as headliner. There will be food trucks and nonprofit prizes.
From 6-10 p.m., Thursdays on Tap at the Perot Museum will be celebrating and promoting North Texas Giving Day with free swag bags while supplies last. Experience the Perot Museum after hours featuring live music, food trucks, drinks, and outdoor games. Plus, get full access to the Museum and all our exhibit halls. This program is for ages 21+.
From 6-10 p.m., Dallas Pets Alive! is throwing a party at Community Brewing to celebrate North Texas Giving Day. They invite all to join for a beer at Community Brewing and mingle with DPA supporters and DPA adoptable pets who will be there showing off their fabulous personalities and pumping up the party.
This is the 15th year of North Texas Giving Day and over the last 15 years in total. Christopher said the day has raised more than 500 million dollars for nonprofits across North Texas.
She said these funds are especially crucial this year as inflation and rise in cost is putting pressure on these organizations and the services they provide.
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