Give Local Isabella returns May 6, rallying the Mt. Pleasant community for 24 hours of giving to support local charitable organizations. Hosted by the
Mt. Pleasant Area Community Foundation, the annual fundraiser is packed with creative ways to boost donations and deepen community involvement.
“Give Local Isabella is more than a one-day fundraiser, it’s a celebration of community connection and generosity,” shares Jennifer Fiegel, communications officer of the Mt. Pleasant Area Community Foundation. “On May 6, neighbors from all corners of Isabella County come together to support local organizations, initiatives, and causes they care about most.”
The event supports organizations that benefit from endowment funds hosted by the Mt. Pleasant Area Community Foundation, but anyone can get involved by making a tax-deductible donation. Give Local Isabella runs the full 24 hours, from midnight to 11:59 p..m., giving the community an entire day to make a difference.
This year, the Mt. Pleasant Area Community Foundation is offering $45,000 in matching funds “to help participating Organization Funds go further than ever before,” Fiegel says. “Even more exciting: for the first time, our Initiative Funds are also eligible to participate in the campaign, raising funds and competing for prize money throughout the day.”
Additionally, this year brings added excitement with “over
eight unique prizes available, including awards for board participation, peer-to peer fundraising, social media engagement, and most donors during specified hours,” Fiegel says. “There are countless ways for organizations to inspire support and energize their networks.”
While Give Local Isabella is primarily a digital event, this year provides two chances for the community to come together in person. At 12 p.m. on May 6, the Mt. Pleasant Area Community Foundation will be at Max and Emily’s handing out free cookies and presenting the High Noon Award: $500 to the organization that gathers the most in-person supporters.
Later in the day, from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m., the Community Foundation will be at Pleasant City Coffee, where another $500 will be awarded to the organization with the most in-person supporters. Better yet, an additional $3 will be donated for every cocktail sold during the event.
While the prizes and events add excitement, Fiegel emphasizes a deeper purpose.
“The day is about more than prizes, it’s about people,” she says. “Throughout the day, [the Mt. Pleasant Area Community Foundation will] be celebrating the generosity of this community by visiting participating nonprofits, sharing stories and gratitude online and creating space for connection and impact.”
Donations can be made via credit and debit through the
Give Local Isabella website. Cash and checks are also welcome and can be presented to a Mt. Pleasant Area Community Foundation staff member at the Hersee House at 306 S. University in Mt. Pleasant between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. on May 6.
“When we give local, we invest in the future of our community, and everyone has a role to play,” says Fiegel, encouraging broad participation and highlighting the event’s vital role in sustaining Isabella County’s organizations and initiatives.
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