You Made It Possible: A New Great Give Day Record!

The Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque’s 10th Great Give Day raises more than $430,166 for local nonprofits, the most in the event’s history

Nonprofits were big winners on Great Give Day 2023, raising $430,166 to support their work. That total is the most raised since the Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque hosted the first Great Give Day in 2014 and represents a $82,508 increase over 2022.

“Once again, the Dubuque region showed just how generous it is, going above and beyond to support the organizations that build strong communities,” says Peter Supple, director of nonprofit relations for the Foundation.

The Community Foundation hosts Great Give Day each year as part of its work to strengthen local nonprofits and inspire giving. Since 2014, it has raised more than $3.1 million for organizations across the seven-county Dubuque region. The May 17 event gave a major boost to nonprofits in Dubuque, Allamakee, Clayton, Clinton, Delaware, Jackson and Jones Counties by bringing in 2,495 gifts. A record 201 nonprofits participated this year, competing for $38,000 in bonus prizes from local business sponsors. (See below for a list of prize winners)

In addition to the traditional online giving platform, Great Give Day 2023 included two new opportunities for people to support nonprofits. Great Give Day Live, the Community Foundation’s first in-person Great Give Day event, took place in Washington Park and featured food trucks, music and nonprofit information books. Plus, four local restaurants — Adobo’s Mexican Grill, Barrel House Pub, Caroline’s Restaurant and Your Pie — participated in Great “Grub” Day, donating 10% of their sales on May 17 to Great Give Day.

“Our community really shines on Great Give Day and shows the generosity Iowans are known for,” Supple says. “We appreciate everyone who contributed. Every gift makes a difference.”  

The bonus prize winners were: 

Most Growth – Returning Nonprofits ($750) — Awarded to the returning nonprofit with highest percentage increase in unique donors over last year.

  • United Way of Dubuque Area Tri-States

Most Donors – New Nonprofits ($750) — Awarded to the first-time nonprofit participant with the most total unique donors.

  • Dubuque Senior High Speech and Theatre

Golden Ticket ($500 each) — Awarded to a nonprofit drawn at random from all organizations that received donations during that prize hour.

  • Allamakee County Community Foundation
  • Creative Adventure Lab
  • Dubuque Regional Humane Society
  • Dubuque Rescue Mission
  • Dubuque Senior High Speech & Theater
  • Ewalu Bible Camp & Retreat Center
  • Hills & Dales
  • Holy Family Catholic Schools
  • Jackson County Historical Society
  • Multicultural Family Center
  • Rotary Club of Clinton Iowa Charitable Foundation Inc
  • Women's Giving Circle

Power Hour - Most Donors ($1,000 each) – Awarded to the nonprofit with the most unique donors during that prize hour.

  • Dubuque Senior High Speech & Theater
  • Northeast Iowa Community College Foundation

Power Hour - Most Dollars ($1,000 each) – Awarded to the nonprofit that raises the most dollars during that prize hour.

  • Ewalu Bible Camp & Retreat Center

Facebook Challenge ($250 each) — Awarded to randomly drawn nonprofits that posted a 30 to- 60-second video on Facebook about why they’re participating in Great Give Day Friday, May 12.

  • Bell Tower Theater
  • St. Stephen's Food Bank

Supporter's Choice Drawing – Facebook ($250) — Awarded to a randomly drawn nonprofit based on nominations from individuals who like and share a specific Facebook post from the Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque and tag a participating nonprofit they are supporting on Great Give Day.

  • Christine Rapp for the Red Basket Project

Supporter's Choice – live event ($250) — Awarded to a nonprofit based on a drawing of attendee nominations at live event.

  • Dubuque Dream Center

Best Booth Award ($250) — Awarded to a nonprofit based on a drawing of attendee nominations at live event.

  • Project Rooted

The Community Foundation thanks the many generous sponsors, donors and participating nonprofits that made Great Give Day 2023 a success.

Platinum Sponsors 

  • Bob and Marilyn Hoefer
  • Conlon Construction
  • First Community Trust, N.A.
  • ImOn Communications
  • Dubuque Screw Products
  • Dubuque Bank & Trust
  • Dupaco Community Credit Union
  • Kendall Hunt Publishing Company/ Westmark Enterprises /Great River Learning
  • MidwestOne Bank 
  • Radio Dubuque
  • TH Media
  • Union-Hoermann Press

Gold Sponsor

  • Theisen's Home * Farm * Auto

Silver Sponsors

  • Eagle Point Solar
  • GreenState Credit Union
  • The Vogt Group

To view the final results and a full list of sponsors, visit greatgiveday.org.