A Great Day to Strengthen Nonprofits

This story is part of our Transforming Together series, which highlights 20 key moments in our Foundation’s first 20 years. Read more stories in the series.

St. Stephen’s Food Bank is a lifeline for many people in Dubuque and Jackson counties. By distributing food to 100 partner pantries, they help combat food insecurity and ensure people can meet their basic needs.

To support this work, the food bank takes part in Great Give Day, the largest day of giving in Eastern Iowa, hosted by the Community Foundation. In 2022, St. Stephen’s raised $4,000 in just 24 hours to help stock their partner pantries.

Dozens of nonprofits in the Dubuque region participate in Great Give Day each year, because it is an opportunity for them to reach new supporters and compete for bonus prizes from local business sponsors that increase their total gifts.

The Community Foundation hosted the Dubuque region’s first Great Give Day in May 2014 with 50 participating nonprofits, raising $205,630. By 2022, Great Give Day had grown to encompass nearly 200 participating nonprofits across the seven-county region raising $347,658. To date, Great Give Day has raised $2.7 million for local nonprofits.

“Strong nonprofits help build strong communities, and that’s why supporting their work is a priority for the Community Foundation,” says Peter Supple, the Foundation’s director of nonprofit relations. “Our community really shines on Great Give Day and shows the generosity Iowans are known for. We appreciate everyone who contributes. Every gift makes a difference.”

Great Give Day’s success is thanks to generous business sponsors whose contributions fuel friendly competition for hourly bonus prizes among participating nonprofits.

Behind the final tallies each year are additional outcomes that build stronger nonprofits in the Dubuque region. For example, only nonprofits with endowment funds hosted by the Community Foundation can participate, leading many new and longstanding organizations to start endowments. These funds are invested and continue to grow, paying out a percentage each year that sustains the good work the nonprofits do. It’s money that supports organizations long after Great Give Day ends.

In addition, the Community Foundation provides resources to participating nonprofits that can support their donor outreach efforts beyond Great Give Day. Nonprofit leaders can take part in social media training led by Community Foundation staff and download a free communications guide that includes handy templates for “thank you” letters, sample social media posts, and tips for marketing.

For donors, Great Give Day is an opportunity to simplify their giving and make their dollars go further. Dubuque residents Ernest and Peggy Jackson are among the thousands of people who give each year.

“We really try to contribute to make our community better, and Great Give Day makes it a lot easier,” Ernest says. “When you see that something you’ve done has helped improve our community, it’s pretty powerful.”