PAULA TRACY, InDepthNH.org
CONCORD – Surrounded by supporters of some of the more than 700 nonprofit groups from across the state participating, Gov. Kelly Ayotte kicked off this week’s annual NH Gives, a 24-hour day of giving that starts on Tuesday, June 9 at 5 p.m. and runs to June 10 at 5 p.m.
Ayotte urged all to help their communities and the needs of others by going online to https://www.nhgives.org/ and giving.
Kathleen Reardon, chief executive officer of the NH Center for Nonprofits, and Richard Ober, retiring president and chief executive officer of the NH Charitable Foundation, joined the governor in speaking to the importance of the event at a rally Monday morning at the State House.
Whether helping children in need, aiding veterans, sheltering animals, finding safe homes, mental health, supporting victims of domestic violence, fighting homelessness, helping those in recovery “whatever the issue is, our nonprofits are so critical to our quality of life in this state. New Hampshire would not be the excellent state that it is without the partnerships and support of our nonprofits,” Ayotte said.
There are 701 nonprofits participating this year and over the past decade $22 million has been raised.
Ayotte urged everyone to find a nonprofit that they are passionate about on the website and give generously.
Reardon said the effort started 11 years ago with a simple goal in mind to lift up the value of nonprofits across the state.
“New Hampshire Gives is a very powerful 24 hours where Granite Staters come together to demonstrate their support for the organizations that lift up our communities each and every day,” she said, and the collective event collects a staggering amount of money.
She said thousands of donors participate and each year it builds on past momentum.
“New Hampshire Gives makes donating easy,” Reardon said. “You can select a cause and you can search by geography and community to find organizations that are making a difference,” noting it is a secure online platform.
There are prizes and incentives for the early donors, and 11 “power hours” where gifts can unlock $500 for nonprofits.
There are more than $800,000 in matches this year which could make each donation go further, Reardon said.
“Donations will send children to camp, they will support free community concerts, they will provide nutritious meals for neighbors in need. Your donation can help build supportive homes where people with developmental disabilities can live independently. It can ensure access to mental health services, it can help build and maintain hiking trails and preserve our natural habitats.
“You can support hotline services to help connect people who are in need. You will fund research. It could connect people with pets. And most of all, your donation offers hope and support for all. New Hampshire Gives is an incredible reminder of what we can all do when we come together,” Reardon said.
Ober said New Hampshire nonprofits “hold our state together,” and said he doubts there is a single individual who will not benefit from NH Gives.
He announced there would be “Power of Community Prizes” offered by the Charitable Foundation which will incentivize organizations with the largest number of donors, not the largest amount, “because every dollar counts.”
Ober noted that people with lower and moderate income give at a higher percentage of their income than more affluent people.
“This is a day where we can come together,” he said. “Every year I go online and watch that ticker go,” and he hoped it would go faster than ever this year.
(InDepthNH.org is a media sponsor of the event and a participant.)