CINCINNATI -- Cincinnati Magazine’s Cincinnati Gives Challenge ended last week tallying nearly $266,000 raised with a collective impact of approximately $295,000, all benefiting local nonprofits.
More than 120 local charities participated in the second-annual fundraising challenge between Nov. 28 and Jan. 2, which raised nearly $16,000 more than last year's challenge. They were competing for $30,000 in cash prizes from the magazine and presenting sponsor, Procter & Gamble.
“I am so pleased with the community’s participation and the results of this year’s Cincinnati Gives Challenge,” said Ivy Bayer, publisher of Cincinnati Magazine, and developer of the Cincinnati Gives Challenge. “We successfully exceeded last year’s total, and have truly made a difference for local charities. With the support of P&G, we’ve really expanded the challenge’s reach this year. I’m thrilled to have once again bridged the gap between for-profits and nonprofits in this exciting and rewarding way.”
The grand prize winner of the 2017 Cincinnati Gives Challenge is Greater Cincinnati Behavioral Health Services, which will receive a cash prize donation of $15,000 from the magazine on top of the $47,435 they raised.
The $6,000 second place prize goes to A Child’s Hope International, on top of the $31,578 they raised. Third place is Habitat for Humanity of Greater Cincinnati, which will receive $3,000 from the magazine in addition to the $27,439 they raised.
Additional cash prizes were awarded to numerous other participating charities throughout the challenge through weekly bonus competitions. One-hundred percent of the funds raised through the challenge will be funneled directly to the charities.
“We are honored and thrilled to have won this challenge, and have our wonderful donors to thank,” said Regina Sheehan, director of development at Greater Cincinnati Behavioral Health Services. “We partner with and help thousands of people in need each year as they seek to improve their health and regain their lives – and we couldn’t do it without support from the community. Thank you to Cincinnati Magazine for providing the amazing opportunity for us to participate in the Cincinnati Gives Challenge!”
Cincinnati Magazine’s Cincinnati Gives Challenge debuted in 2016, and is the first of its kind in the city. Inspired by the magazine’s 50th anniversary in 2017, it was designed to leverage the power of community to make a powerful, meaningful and lasting impact.
Through this annual challenge and the complementary Guide to Giving, Cincinnati Magazine directly connects individuals with local charities that align with their interests and values. The magazine’s comprehensive guide to philanthropy will be produced annually and may be viewed at the website here.
“It’s truly been an honor to work alongside Cincinnati Magazine and more than 120 local, charitable organizations through this challenge,” said Barbara Hauser, P&G Ohio Community Relations Manager. “Every day, P&G is working to be a force for good and a force for growth worldwide. Cincinnati Magazine’s Cincinnati Gives Challenge perfectly aligned with our corporate mission and social responsibility to uniquely add value and generate the most positive impact in P&G communities. We couldn’t be more pleased to have made such a positive impact for the participating charities surrounding our Cincinnati headquarters.”
View the participating charities and the full results of the challenge at the website here.
