(Columbus, OH)—The Greater Columbus Arts Council (Arts Council) is announcing the release of $12,500 in new matching funds for power2Give, a crowdfunding platform dedicated to connecting nonprofit organizations’ art and cultural projects with individual donors interested in helping turn them into reality.
Puffin Foundation West has provided $10,000 in matching funds for projects that align with their funding mission of supporting projects that utilize art in the pursuit of social justice. JP Morgan Chase Foundation has released $2,500 in general matching funds. Additional matching funds are still available from PNC for early education projects, The Columbus Foundation for projects in Weinland Park and from the city of Columbus for general projects in the city of Columbus as well as the specific projects in the six targeted neighborhoods of Linden, King-Lincoln, Weinland Park, Franklinton, Olde Towne East and Southside.
In 2014 in Columbus, power2give enabled $106,797 in total contributions, engaged 569 donors and served 39 organizations. The average donation was $121.
“I am humbled by the continued support and dedication of our sponsors and the donations from the community,” said Tom Katzenmeyer, president of the Greater Columbus Arts Council. “This is a powerful way to empower citizens to directly fund projects that they are passionate about.”
power2give.org debuted in Charlotte, N.C. in late August 2011 and since then has launched in 24 additional communities. The Arts Council launched power2give in October 2013 in partnership with the Arts & Science Council (ASC) located in Charlotte, N.C. People visiting the site can pick a project that interests or inspires them and direct their giving to making those efforts come to fruition. Since its launch, the program has generated more than $150,000 in directed giving in the Franklin County area.
“Many of the projects have reported engaging new donors through power2give,” said Ruby Harper, Grants & Services Director. “It is exciting to be able to open up funding for arts and culture projects and work with nonprofit organizations from all sectors.”
Projects have up to 90 days to achieve their funding goals. Posting events is free for organizations. In addition to matching funds, another feature of the platform is the ability for organizations to receive the money raised even if they do not meet their funding goal. The Arts Council applies a 10 percent administrative fee to funds raised by each project to cover credit card fees, site maintenance and marketing costs. In 2014 the power2give expanded to support projects in Franklin’s surrounding counties of Madison, Union, Pickway, Fairfield, Delaware, and Licking.
Matching funds for power2give come from businesses and community organizations, including the city of Columbus through the Arts Council’s grants program, Cardinal Health, JPMorgan Chase Foundation, PNC, Loann Crane, The Columbus Foundation and the Puffin Foundation West. Individual donors also have the ability to provide matching funds for the platform.
Visit the the central Ohio power2give portal at www.power2give.org/CentralOH. Follow power2give.org on Twitter @power2give and ‘Like’ on Facebook at facebook.com/power2give.
Media support is provided by: CD102.5, CityScene Magazine, Lamar Outdoor and WCBE 90.5.
For information about posting a project or purchasing gift cards, contact Ruby Harper at rharper@gcac.org.
About the Arts & Science Council: The Arts & Science Council is a non-profit organization in Charlotte, N.C. that builds appreciation, participation and support for the arts, science, history and heritage in Charlotte-Mecklenburg. ASC works to shape a vibrant cultural life for all through fundraising, grant making, cultural planning, public art, capacity building and community engagement. For more, visit ArtsAndScience.org.
About the Greater Columbus Arts Council: Through vision and leadership, advocacy and collaboration, the Greater Columbus Arts Council supports art and advances the culture of the region. A catalyst for excellence and innovation, we fund exemplary artists and arts organizations and provide programs, events and services of public value that educate and engage all audiences in our community. GCAC thanks the City of Columbus and the Ohio Arts Council for their continued support of all our programs.
CONTACT: Jami Goldstein
(614) 221-8492
jgoldstein@gcac.org
