By RONDA GRAFF

MCFF

The 9th annual Southwest Nebraska Big Give McCook is Thursday, Nov. 7, 2024 and will feature many of the activities associated with the Big Give including giving stations and power hours. And there are several new elements being planned including a meet-and-greet with the organizations and promotions throughout the community.

But before the big day, a lot of planning and work goes into the one-day of giving for Southwest Nebraska. This includes getting the non-profit organizations registered for the event. 

With some changes to the giving platform, all organizations much register this year, whether they have participated before or not in the Big Give. 

The 2023 Big Give featured 34 non-profits and Community Chest organizers are hoping for all those organizations to return and new groups to join in 2024. 

Registration is now open through Sept. 9 on the Big Give website, swnebiggive.org. This date is a little later than it has been in the past, so organizers would like the non-profit organizations to get registered as soon as possible. 

To join Big Give, organizations are asked to fill out an application on the website under “Register Your Non-Profit Now.” Participants will also be asked to attend one planning meeting as well as offer support leading up to and on the day of Big Give McCook.

To be eligible for Big Give, organizations must have a 501(c)3 exempt status in good standing with the IRS as well as have a physical presence and provide services for Southwest Nebraska. Private foundations and political or governmental organizations are excluded from the event. Religious organizations are also excluded except those providing community programs. All applications are ultimately approved by the Community Chest committee with non-profit status verified through Guidestar.

Coordinated by the Community Chest volunteer committee, Southwest Nebraska Big Give is one day devoted to philanthropy, where every donation - large or small - makes a difference. From midnight to midnight on Nov. 7, participating non-profits will be eligible for donations, whether they are given online or in person at “giving stations” around McCook..

Donors get to choose both how much they would like to give along with where the money should go. There will also be matching funds, provided by local businesses supporting the event, making those donations go even further. Any business or organizations which would like to be a sponsor for Big Give McCook should contact Community Chest members.

The event is now in its second year as Southwest Nebraska Big Give, previously known as Big Give McCook. But several organizations participating from around the area, the name was changed in 2023

The Community Chest provides financial resources to a dozen agencies in McCook, which serve the basic needs of the community. Community Chest is a sub-account of the McCook Community Foundation Fund, which is an affiliated fund of the Nebraska Community Foundation. 

For more information about the Southwest Nebraska Big Give, visit the Big Give website or call Community Chest co-coordinators Lisa Felker or Melissa Stritt at 308-345-4240 or MCFF coordinator Ronda Graff at 308-340-3412.