A New Great Give Day Record!

For the first time in its 12-year history, Great Give Day raised over $800,000 for nonprofits across the Dubuque region, providing important funding at a time when organizations need it most.

In total, the Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque’s annual online giving day on May 20 raised $820,657* for participating nonprofits spanning Dubuque, Allamakee, Clayton, Clinton, Delaware, Jackson and Jones Counties. This year’s topped last year’s of $640,000, and passed the Community Foundation’s $700,000 goal for 2026.

“We are beyond grateful to the people in our region for the incredible outpouring of generosity we saw this Great Give Day,” says Nancy Van Milligen, president and CEO of the Community Foundation. “We also know that this level of generosity doesn’t just happen on Great Give Day – it happens every day here in Eastern Iowa.”

The Community Foundation hosts Great Give Day each year as part of its work to strengthen local nonprofits and ignite generosity. Since 2014, it has raised more than $5 million for organizations across the seven-county Dubuque region. A record 232 nonprofits participated this year, competing for $33,250 in bonus prizes from local business sponsors. (See below for lists of prize winners and sponsors)

After three years of planning a live event in Washington Park with nonprofits and entertainment, the Community Foundation opted to not host an event and instead give nonprofits more time to focus on raising money, stewarding gifts and connecting with donors throughout the day.

Several participating groups, however, hosted events in small towns outside of Dubuque, including Monticello and Anamosa. These events provided opportunities for locals to get to know the people and missions behind their local nonprofits – and support them with donations.

“Nonprofits are facing many challenges right now,” says Peter Supple, director of nonprofit relations for the Community Foundation. “There is a lot of uncertainty around funding. At the same time, the need for services continues to grow. That’s why seeing such generosity from our community members makes us so happy. People stepped up in a big way to strengthen the nonprofits that strengthen our region.”

This year’s bonus prize winners were: 

Facebook Video Challenge ($2,000 each) — Awarded to a randomly drawn nonprofit that posted a 30 to- 60-second video on Facebook about why they’re participating in Great Give Day.

  • Clinton Substance Abuse Council
  • Dubuque Regional Humane Society

Facebook Share Challenge ($2,000) — Awarded to a randomly drawn nonprofit that shared one of the Community Foundation’s Great Give Day social media posts.

  • Bernard Fire and Rescue

U.S. Bank Sponsor Prize ($5,000) – Great Give Day sponsor U.S. Bank supports a participating nonprofit that either focuses on or has initiatives that focus on financial health, small business and/or affordable housing.

  • Dubuque/Jackson Counties Habitat for Humanity

Affiliate Support Prize ($500 each) – The nonprofit from each of the Community Foundation’s eight affiliate regions with the most receives $500.

  • Allamakee County Community Foundation: Mental Health Today/Matt Howe Tribute (MHT)
  • Clayton County Foundation for the Future: Ewalu Bible Camp & Retreat Center
  • Community Foundation of Jackson County: Bellevue Rotary Club Scholarship Fund
  • Dyersville Area Community Foundation: James Kennedy Public Library
  • Foundation for the Future of Delaware County: Manchester Public Library
  • Jones County Community Foundation: Helping Hungry Hands
  • LincolnWay Community Foundation: DeWitt Theater Company
  • River Bluff Community Foundation: Clinton Class of 1981 Alumni & Friends Scholarship

In addition to the challenges and drawings, Great Give Day featured three Money Match hours, during which dollars raised by each organization were matched proportionally by a total prize pool of $18,250.

The Community Foundation thanks the many generous sponsors, donors and participating nonprofits that made Great Give Day 2026 a success.

Presenting Sponsors

  • MidWestOne Bank
  • Ohnward Bancshares
  • Radio Dubuque
  • TH Media

Platinum Sponsors

  • First Community Trust
  • Mason Investment Advisory Services Inc.
  • U.S. Bank
  • UMB

Gold Sponsors

  • Klauer Manufacturing
  • Theisen’s Home•Farm•Auto
  • The Vogt Group

Silver Sponsor

  • akoyaGO
  • Friday Financial
  • Lamar Advertising

* Results reported in this news release are preliminary. The official total will be announced once all gifts have been tallied. To view the final results and a full list of sponsors, visit greatgiveday.org.

Close