ST. CLOUD - If you've been considering making a donation to a nonprofit organization, tomorrow would be a great day to do it.

Hundreds of nonprofits throughout Minnesota are participating in the 3rd annual "Give to the Max Day." It's a 24 hour online fundraising blitz sponsored by the organization Give MN that will match your donation, and award grants to the organizations that receive the most donations.

The one-day fundraising blitz will offer these incentives to organizations netting the most donors:

  • A $15,000, $10,000 and $7,500 prize grant will be awarded to the top three nonprofit organizations (colleges and universities excluded) which receive the most dollars during Give to the Max Day.
  • $5,000 prize grants will be awarded to nonprofits in 4th through 10th place on the main leaderboard.
  • A $15,000, $10,000 and $7,500 prize grant will be awarded to the top three small nonprofit organizations – with budgets under $750,000 – which receive the most dollars on Give to the Max Day. Nonprofits must register online to compete in this category.
  • $5,000 prize grants will be awarded to nonprofits in 4th through 10th place on the small nonprofit leaderboard.
  • A $15,000, $10,000 and $5,000 prize grant will be awarded to the top three Minnesota colleges or universities which receive the most dollars on Give to the Max Day.
  • In addition to the 24 “Golden Tickets”—$1,000 prize grants given randomly every hour—one $10,000 “Grand Golden Ticket” will be randomly given at 11:59 p.m. on November 16, 2011.

Last year's fundraiser collected more than ten million dollars for over thirty-five hundred Minnesota nonprofits. It can be tough to choose who to give to, so here's a snapshot of just a handful of the hundreds of worthy organizations in central Minnesota.

  • Anna Marie’s Alliance is an emergency shelter for battered women and children in St. Cloud. The shelter provides emergency shelter, transitional housing, mental health services for children exposed to violence, court advocacy and more. This year, the shelter is celebrating its 31st year being open. This is the organization’s second year participating in GTMD. It has already raised $3,385.00.
  • Wacosa provides people challenged by disabilities the opportunity to work and live in their community. Wacosa has a network of donors, volunteers, staff and board members that help adults with disabilities secure purpose, and a place in their communities. The organization helps these adults to learn valuable skills that are vital in helping them to build self-esteem, earn a paycheck, secure employment and become active within their communities.
  • Catholic Charities of the Diocese of St. Cloud builds communities, promotes family life, and enhances human dignity by providing basic human services to meet physical, social, emotional and spiritual needs. The organization has more than 40 programs to aid with housing, emergency food services, mental health, various family services and services for Seniors.
  • The Boys & Girls Club of Central Minnesota (located in St. Cloud) has participated in GTMD every year. This year, they received a $10,000 Challenge grant from Otto Bremer and they are using GTMD to get the $10,000 raised. This is the Central Minnesota chapter’s 37th year in operation and they are very active in the St. Cloud community. Around 88% of the kids they serve are eligible for free and reduced lunch so they serve a daily snack and meal to the kids and families involved. Last year, this chapter served 47,000 meals. In addition to providing meals, the Boys and Girls Club offers homework help, tutoring and interactive field trips.
  • Kids Against Hunger of Central MN, also located in St. Cloud, is a volunteer-driven hunger relief campaign that distributes food resources on a global level. Formed in March, 2003 as a satellite of its parent organization, Kids Against Hunger of Central MN has had more an 8,000 volunteers come through its doors and have packaged more than 5 million meals to date. Volunteer arrive at the center each week and pack hundreds of meals, which are then distributed to communities around the world.
  • The Boys and Girls Clubs of Central Minnesota, located in St. Cloud, has been serving area kids living in tough situations for 36 years. All donations will support the mentoring program for hundred of area youth enrolled in various programs.
  • The Stearns History Museum is dedicated to educating the public on the rich history of central Minnesota. Donations will support services like the Research Center, exhibits and the many educational programs offered throughout the year.
  • The St. Cloud Skate Plaza provides a place for kids of all ages to get exercise and have fun learning the ins and outs of skateboarding. The plaza also routinely hosts expos and teach-ins with professionals.
  • The Paramount Theatre Arts Trust is a local leader in keeping the arts vibrant in the St. Cloud area, and your donation will support continued arts outreach, programming and education.

"Give to the Max Day" begins at midnight on November 16 and continues through midnight the following day.

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