GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) – At Lambeau Field on Wednesday, the list of non-profits set to benefit from the second annual Give BIG Green Bay community giving day were announced.
The event, which allows residents to donate to Brown County charities online, was launched last year by the Green Bay Packers Foundation and the Greater Green Bay Community Foundation.
The crowdfunding event begins at noon on February 20 and runs until noon on February 21.
Local residents are encouraged to contribute towards Brown County charities during that time and donations received, along with a proportionate share of the matching funds, go directly to the various nonprofit organizations.
During the initial event last year, $805,610 was raised through 1,718 donors, which went to support 31 nonprofits.
On Wednesday, representatives from this years expanded field of 40 nonprofits were assembled at the Lambeau Field Atrium.
“We’re fortunate to live in a community with impactful nonprofit agencies and leaders who are dedicated to serving the residents of Brown County,” says Packers President/CEO Mark Murphy. “We are also proud to work with the Greater Green Bay Community Foundation to encourage everyone to learn more about the important work of local nonprofits and to donate, at any level.”
The Packers Foundation announced a $250,000 impact grant for this years campaign in order to create a matching pool of funds.
Additional matching funds and incentives are being provided by Bellin Health, Janet and Charlie Lieb, and the J.J. Keller Foundation.
The total number of matching funds and incentives tallies $312,500, which is $97,500 more than last years amount.
After seeing the initial success of the event in 2018, Mark Murphy knew it was a no-brainer to bring the campaign back this year.
“I mean the Packers are a community-owned team, and so for us giving back to the community is at the core of our organization,” he says.
The organizations set to benefit from the event represent a diverse cross-section of Brown County, including animal welfare, arts and culture, community involvement, education, and other various types of partners.
“It represents such a wide variety of different community organizations and non-profits,” says Murphy.
One of the organizations added to this year’s event that wasn’t a participant last year is Paul’s Pantry.
Executive Director Craig Robbins saw all the success the campaign generated last year and knew he wanted to be apart of it this go-around.
“I think we can show the rest of the country that Give BIG Green Bay really means something,” he explains.
For him, the hundreds of thousands of dollars generated in last year’s initial effort didn’t come as a surprise.
“Being the smallest NFL city certainly means something and this is certainly the people with the biggest hearts and greatest generosity,” says Robbins.
Above all, event organizers believe the campaign creates an environment in which residents feel vested in the various community organizations represented.
“Give BIG Green Bay is a shining example of how we are rethinking ways to create a stronger community and connect people directly with the organizations who are on the front lines addressing some of our most pressing needs,” says Dennis Buehler, President and CEO of the Greater Green Bay Community Foundation.
More information can be found here.
