Centre Gives Raises Record $2.5 Million for Local Nonprofits
State College, PA – May 10, 2024 – For the thirteenth consecutive year, the Centre County community came together to raise funds benefiting local nonprofits through Centre Gives. This year, a record-breaking $2,493,819 was raised via 16,577 total gifts in 36 hours as part of this annual online fundraiser.
“We are thrilled by the overwhelming response and exceptional generosity shown during Centre Gives,” said Molly Kunkel, President and CEO of Centre Foundation. “The incredible success of the fundraiser is a testament to the generosity of our community and their dedication to making Centre County an even better place for all. We are deeply grateful for each and every donor and sponsor who chose to invest in the future of our community.”
Hundreds of people gathered at Brass 16823 in Bellefonte during Centre Gives Fest, the annual community celebration marking the grand finale of the online fundraiser, on the evening of May 9 to countdown the final hours of Centre Gives. The celebration included music, local food, giving stations, and a variety of family-friendly activities hosted by participating nonprofits.
Kunkel remarked on the palpable excitement and spirit of giving at the event, noting, ‘You could really feel the community’s enthusiasm and generosity during every moment of our celebratory gathering in Brass 16823.”
Over thirty local nonprofits joined the Centre Gives Fest fun. Each organization brought its own special flair by hosting an activity that tied its mission to the spirit of Centre Gives.
Marisa Vicere, President and Founder of the Jana Marie Foundation, expressed enthusiasm about participating in Centre Gives again this year. “It’s a tremendous display of community solidarity in Centre County. We all work together to support each other, our friends, and our neighbors,” she said. Vicere also highlighted the collaborative spirit among nonprofits and the community’s engagement. “It’s wonderful to see everyone rallying for their favorite nonprofits and to have this opportunity to interact with the community, especially in a new venue. It’s a great way to check out new places in our community and to work together to keep highlighting all the great work that’s being done.”
Since Centre Gives began in 2012, over $19 million has been invested in local nonprofits, supporting organizations in the areas of arts, animals, education, environment, human services, and more.
Centre Gives 2024 was sponsored by many forward-thinking members of the community including the Hamer Foundation, FNB Wealth Management, Nestlerode & Loy Inc., Stuckey Mitsubishi, Morgan Stanley, Frost & Conn Insurance, M&T Bank, King Financial Partners, Leonard S. Fiore, Inc., McQuaide Blasko, State College Police Department, The Hartman Agency, Kish Bank and the William H. & Amy Sue Martin Fund at Centre Foundation.
Seven Mountains Media, Centre Daily Times, and Lamar generously supported Centre Foundation’s advertising efforts for Centre Gives.
During Centre Gives, gifts go further thanks to the $300,000 in stretch pools provided by the Centre Foundation and the Hamer Foundation, along with $40,000 in prizes.
Amy Werner, Development and Community Relations Coordinator at Housing Transitions, praised Centre Gives: “It’s a fantastic time, making us feel fully supported by the community. It’s exciting to track donations and strive to surpass previous years. Thanks to Centre County for your incredible support! Werner noted that the new location of Centre Gives Fest to Brass 16823 in Bellefonte was excellent. “There’s a lot of excitement, and we’re thrilled to see so many people enjoying the activities we have for everyone!”
The following prizes were awarded to nonprofits during Centre Gives 2024:
Prizes of $500 were awarded to the top ten large and small organizations with the most unique donors for the entirety of Centre Gives.
Top 10 Large Organization Prize winners include: Centre County PAWS, Centre Safe, Centre Volunteers in Medicine, ClearWater Conservancy, Out of the Cold: Centre County, Park Forest Preschool, Performing Arts School of Central Pennsylvania, Pets Come First, Schlow Library Foundation, and State College Food Bank.
Top 10 Small Organization Prize winners include: A Soldier’s Hands, Bellefonte Art Museum for Centre County, Centre County Historical Society at the Centre Furnace Mansion, Centre LGBT+, Centre Wildlife Care, Dyslexia Reading Center, Nittany Beagle Rescue, Pixie Dust Wishes, The Hundred Cat Foundation, and United Baseball.
Power Hour Prizes of $500 were awarded to the large and small organizations with the most unique donors during designated hours.
Power Hour Prize winners for large organizations include: Centre Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts, Centre County PAWS, ClearWater Conservancy, Discovery Space and The Rivet, Interfaith Human Services, Jana Marie Foundation, Nittany Greyhounds, Park Forest Preschool, Performing Arts School of Central Pennsylvania, Pets Come First, Schlow Library Foundation, and Strawberry Fields.
Power Hour Prize winners for small organizations include: Centre Region Down Syndrome Society, Centre Wildlife Care, Dyslexia Reading Center, Nittany Beagle Rescue, Penns Valley Conservation Association, Soroptimist International of Centre County, Rising Hope Therapeutic Riding Center, State College Area Roller Derby, The Hundred Cat Foundation, and United Baseball.
The first-ever $1,000 #IGiveWhereILive Prize was randomly awarded to one organization based on the participation of nonprofit supporters in a social media contest before the start of Centre Gives.
#IGiveWhereILive Prize winner is: TriYoga of Central Pennsylvania.
The organization that received the very first donation during Centre Gives 2024 was selected to win a $250 prize.
First Gift Prize winner is: Downtown Bellefonte, Inc.
Centre Foundation is celebrating over 40 years of creating a vibrant Centre County! In honor of the foundation’s anniversary, the organization that received the 1,981st gift during Centre Gives 2024 was selected to win $250.
43rd Anniversary Prize (1981st Gift) Winner is: Mountaintop Swimming Pool.
The organization which received the donation pushing Centre Gives past the $1 million mark was selected to win a $250 prize.
Million Maker Prize winner is: ACRES Project.
The organization which received the donation pushing Centre Gives past the $2 million mark was selected to win a $250 prize.
Two Million Maker Prize winner is: Juniata Valley Council Boy Scouts.
In honor of the first Centre Gives in 2012, the organization that received the donation closest to 20:12 (8:12 PM) on May 9 was selected to win a $250 prize.
13 Years of Centre Gives winner is: Centre County Library & Historical Museum.
Two large and two small organizations that benefit from Centre Foundation’s endowment funds were randomly selected to win $250 each.
Centre Foundation Endowment Lucky Ticket Prize winners include: Centre County Housing & Land Trust, Community Diversity Group, Juanita Valley Council Boy Scouts, and Pets Come First.
Two large and two small organizations that received a grant from a Centre Foundation donor-advised fund through Centre Gives were randomly selected to win $250 each.
Centre Foundation Donor-Advised Lucky Ticket Prize winners are: Meals on Wheels, State College Area, Mid-State Literacy Council, Inc., The Fred H Carlin Community Vision Foundation, and The Makery.
One organization from each of Centre County’s five major regions was randomly selected to win a $250 prize.
Regional Lucky Ticket Prize winners are:
- Bald Eagle: The Roland Curtin Foundation
- Bellefonte: The Print Factory
- Penns Valley: The Hundred Cat Foundation
- Philipsburg: Rowland Theatre, Inc.
- State College: Nittany Highland Pipe Band
One organization participating in its first Centre Gives was randomly selected to win a $250 prize.
The New Participant Prize winner: David House Heritage Museum.
For the third year, Centre Foundation celebrated the final hours of Centre Gives live at Centre Gives Fest. Five prizes of $250 each were awarded based on a random drawing of those who attended Centre Gives Fest and nominated their favorite nonprofit to win.
Centre Gives Fest Prize winners are: Jana Marie Foundation (x2), Juniata Valley Council Boy Scouts, Pets Come First, and Sock & Buskin Theatre Company.
One organization that hosted an engaging activity at Centre Gives Fest was selected to win a $250 prize.
Centre Gives Fest Community Engagement Prize winner: Nittany Greyhounds.
The individual donor who gave to the most organizations during Centre Gives 2024 was invited to select one organization to receive an additional $500 prize.
Good Neighbor Prize winner: Volunteer Centre County.
At the conclusion of Centre Gives, ten Last Chance Prizes of $250 each were awarded to organizations that had not previously won a prize.
Last Chance Prize winners include: Bellefonte Library Friends, Boalsburg Village Conservancy, CentrePeace, Inc., Centre Region Parks and Recreation, Community Cafe at St. Andrew’s, Friends of the Pennsylvania Military Museum, Nittany Valley Symphony, The Daily Collegian, Think We not Me Food Program, and Tudek Park.
For more information and to view the entire list of Centre Gives prizes awarded visit www.CentreGives.org.
Centre Foundation’s mission is to inspire and facilitate a culture of giving and engagement that cultivates a vibrant, equitable and inclusive community.
