Greater New Haven community gives $205,000 in 24 hours

The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven Foundation's I Give It Forward campaign generates over one quarter of a million dollars, to date

NEW HAVEN - The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven has announced that more than $205,000 was given in a 24 hour period to support local nonprofits as part of its Fall 2011 I Give It Forward campaign, according to a statement.

The money was given in conjunction with the public introduction of giveGreater cards at The Community Foundation's Annual Meeting on Nov. 7.

The "giveGreater cards are virtual cards designed to be given as thank you, birthday or holiday presents; recipients designate money (the value identified on the card) to any of the local nonprofits profiled on giveGreater.org^®, an online resource for finding, learning about and giving to nonprofits serving Greater New Haven," the statement said.

" To incentivize giving via giveGreater cards, every $100 (or more) giveGreater card ordered between 7 p.m. on Nov. 7 and 7 p.m. on Nov. 8 was matched by The Community Foundation with an extra $100 card, the statement said.

"Our mission is clear: to create sustainable change through increasing local giving. One of the ways we're doing this in 2011 is by making giveGreater cards available," Will Ginsberg, president and CEO of The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven said, also in the statement.

"We're anxious to see how donors are using new technology to support their community and delighted that new faces are joining the ranks of experienced philanthropists. Ultimately when these cards are redeemed over the next several months, local nonprofits will benefit."

The giveGreater cards are available to order through Dec. 31, and come in $50, $100, $250, $500 and $1,000 denominations; cards can be ordered on The Community Foundation's website http://www.cfgnh.org/ and must be redeemed on giveGreater.org by March 31, 2012, the statement said.

The Community Foundation's Fall 2011 I Give It Forward campaign began Oct. 13 when giveGreater cards were offered directly to past giveGreater.org donors and Foundation friends. During that phase, donors received two giveGreater cards and were asked to pass one of them to a person who they felt was also passionate about the community. Both cards were eligible for a $50 match from The Community Foundation when accompanied by a donation of $50 or more to any nonprofit on giveGreater.org. Nearly $47,000 was raised during that part of the campaign, the statement said.

Editor's Note: All information in this post was contributed by the Community Foundation. It is largely unedited here and is posted as a public service.