2016 Giving Challenge to evolve community's philanthropic legacy

Since 2012, donors from throughout our region have shown their support for charitable organizations during The Giving Challenge. Last year’s event set a new standard for generosity in our community when nearly $6.7 million was donated in 24 hours to the 449 nonprofits listed on The Giving Partner, an online tool that helps donors make more informed giving decisions.

The Patterson Foundation has proudly contributed to the Giving Challenge since its inception through more than $4.1 million in match dollars. This support continues for the fifth year of the Giving Challenge, which is presented by the Community Foundation of Sarasota County.

The Patterson Foundation will provide the following contributions to the 2016 Giving Challenge, which will take place from noon-noon Tuesday, Sept. 20 through Wednesday, Sept. 21:

- A 2:1 match for contributions from new donors, up to $100 per donor, per organization

- A 1:1 match for contributions from returning donors, up to $100 per donor, per organization

- $51,000 in prizes for nonprofits that cultivate the highest total dollars of new and returning donations

There will be no limit to the number of individual matches The Patterson Foundation contributes. The matches are designed to encourage local nonprofits to engage new donors and build lasting relationships with them while affirming the continued contributions of dedicated supporters to these organizations.

More than ever, donors want to know that their contributions are being used responsibly by organizations of integrity. The Giving Partner, with its detailed profiles of hundreds of nonprofits in Sarasota, Manatee, Charlotte and DeSoto counties, facilitates informed giving. The Giving Challenge provides an incentive for these nonprofits to convert this knowledge of their causes into action – a model they have used successfully to raise $15 million to date.

The Giving Challenge has proved time and again that everyone can be a philanthropist, and The Patterson Foundation is honored to contribute to this community-wide day of generosity once more during the 2016 Giving Challenge.

Visit www.givingpartnerchallenge.org between noon Sept. 20 and noon Sept. 21 to donate, and follow The Giving Partner on Facebook and Twitter for the latest updates.