Give Ozarks Day: Rally for Recovery, presented by Community Foundation of the Ozarks and Bass Pro Shops, is an annual, region-wide online giving day. This year, the event offered nonprofits the opportunity to raise operating funds to help sustain their work after a year of fundraising cancellations, financial challenges, and program disruptions, often coupled with an increased need for services during the pandemic. Joplin Regional Foundation of the Ozarks, a CFO affiliate, held Give Joplin Day in conjunction with Give Ozarks Day; Creative Learning Alliance was one of 16 agency partners in this localized event.
During the event on March 24, Creative Learning Alliance participated in the twelve-hour giving window to raise $1,300 with more than 20 unique donors. Over 150 nonprofits participated in Give Ozarks Day and raised $718,728. Being the first year of participation, CLA was pleased with the outcome.
“We’ve been existence for two years, one of those in a pandemic lockdown. It takes time. Time to get our name out, time to build relationships, time to build that donor base. Truthfully, I’m more excited about the names we are adding to our prospect and donor list than I am about the money,” said Audie Dennis, board president.
Bringing a science center is a large project with an even larger funding goal. A few CLA board members took the time to address the impact of giving to this particular project – you can find their videos and thoughts here.