As nonprofits face growing budget challenges, seemingly by the hour, Lorain County is stepping up again to show that every dollar counts and every act of giving matters.
On Sept. 18th, the Community Foundation of Lorain County supercharges 12 hours — from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. — into a powerful movement of giving, connection and hope. It’s called Connect to a Cause, and in just six years, it has raised over $1 million for local nonprofits fueling everything from youth programs to food pantries across the region.
“Everyone knows about Giving Tuesday,” says the Foundation’s President and CEO Cynthia Andrews. “But this is Giving Thursday in Lorain County, and we’re super excited to use Connect to a Cause as a community fundraising day.”
Donors can give online by visiting PeopleWhoCare.org, calling or stopping in, or even sending checks to the Foundation in advance, designating how they want their funds distributed to support any one of 106 participating nonprofits with a single, seamless donation.
Whether it’s a $10 gift or a $10,000 anniversary check — like one couple gave last year — every contribution goes through the Foundation’s streamlined back-office support, and 100% of the donation (minus any applicable credit card charges) is deposited into the nonprofit’s account.
Two weeks after the event, each of the 106 nonprofits receives a full report of the funds raised, with 25% of those dollars automatically invested into their endowment funds — a vital reserve many rely on as a rainy-day reserve, Andrews says.
“A third of our nonprofits choose to keep all their funds in their endowment,” Andrews explains. “They see it as a way to build stability for the future.”
Andrews says the fundraising stakes feel higher this year, though. With afterschool programs and youth services facing budget cuts, these critical donations offer a lifeline for many organizations.
“Someone may feel passionate about supporting education and youth,” she says. “Through Connect to a Cause, many donors are discovering new organizations doing critical work in these areas — and stepping up to help fill the gaps.”
The same goes for food pantries, which see longer lines as economic pressures mount. “We can’t replace all the dollars agencies are losing,” she says, “but we can certainly add some good news to their day.”
While the Foundation anchors the event, the energy pulses across Lorain County. From Main Street events in Wellington and Oberlin to newsletters and social media campaigns, each nonprofit and community group tailors its outreach to what works best for them.
In 2024, Connect to a Cause raised a record $389,650 in just 12 hours. And with more nonprofits participating than ever before, the momentum is growing.
“Our goal is to support the campaign, support a day of giving in Lorain County and support over 100 nonprofits in one day,”she says. “That’s the mission.”
Call to Action
Join us on September 18th!
Make a gift to support 100+ local Lorain County nonprofits working every day to make our community stronger, healthier and more vibrant. Your generosity fuels the programs that help Lorain County thrive — today and for generations to come.
