One-day fundraising blitz aids North Texas nonprofits reeling from coronavirus impact

UPDATE: North Texas Giving Tuesday Now raised $20.7 million for more than 2,500 area nonprofits. Another $21.8 million was raised by specific COVID-19 relief funds, the organizers announced on May 6.

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The spirit of generosity is alive in North Texas, with residents from Addison to Azle supporting businesses and individuals most impacted by the coronavirus crisis. On Tuesday, May 5, a community-wide campaign will show special love to struggling Dallas-Fort Worth nonprofits.

North Texas Giving Tuesday Now is an online fundraising event to help nonprofits faced with extraordinary challenges due to the pandemic. Organized by the United Way of Metropolitan Dallas and the Dallas Cowboys, along with Communities Foundation of Texas' North Texas Giving Day, the one-day campaign will last from 6 am to midnight May 5. Gifts can be scheduled in advance.

"Our greatest asset in an unprecedented time is each other," the organizations say on the website. "With many nonprofits seeing an increase in demand for critical services and cancellations of in-person fundraising opportunities, all charitable organizations, including North Texas nonprofit organizations, are reeling from the devastating impact of the COVID-19 pandemic."

More than 3,000 nonprofits of every stripe — food banks, theaters, museums, parochial schools, homeless shelters, veterans' causes, even wildlife rescues — will be participating in the virtual fundraiser.

Donors simply search the website for their favorite nonprofit or browse the 21 cause areas until they find one they like. They can make a secure, one-time donation through the site and create a "FUNdraising page" to rally support from others.

The #GivingTuesdayNow effort will get a celebrity boost from “The Concert for North Texas Giving Tuesday Now,” hosted by singer Caroline Kraddick, airing on CBS 11 from 6:30-7 pm May 5. Performers include Ryan Cabrera, Jason and Michael Castro, Josh Abbott, Jaret Reddick, and more. There will be a special message from the Dallas Cowboys.

Special events
But, wait. There's more.

Many organizations will hold their own special events and campaigns to help generate support. Here's a sampling of what they're doing:

To raise an additional $6 million needed to meet increased demand related to COVID-19, The Salvation Army of North Texas has secured an anonymous $250,000 matching gift for #GivingTuesdayNow to prompt donations to support families in Collin, Dallas, Denton, Ellis and Tarrant counties that are experiencing a loss in income.

“We recognize that times are tough and people may not have a lot to give," says Major Barbara Rich, Salvation Army's area commander. "Thanks to a very generous matching gift, what we receive on #GivingTuesdayNow will be amplified exponentially, and our plans to not turn anyone away will remain intact.”

Dallas Area Habitat for Humanity will host a virtual Home Sweet Home event with special guest Kellie Rasberry, host of the Kidd Kraddick radio show on 106.1 Kiss FM. At 11 am, guests who purchase a $75 "ticket" will get to take a virtual peek around Rasberry's house as she talks about what "home sweet home" means to her. Gifts received from the event will help provide mortgage relief for a growing number of Habitat homeowners who are experiencing job loss or job interruption due to COVID-19.

The Arts Foundation of St. Andrew United Methodist Church in Plano will host a livestream-only concert featuring local artists, beginning at 10 am. It will benefit The Storehouse of Collin County and will feature performances by Imperial Brass; Chris Widomski, saxophone; Ladies Liberty Show Troupe; Yumiko Endo Schlaffer, harp; Kaylyn Wilson, soprano; Noah Bales, tenor; Michael Agnew, spoken word; Megan Koch, soprano; Lucik Aprahamian, mezzo-soprano; and Martha Walvoord, violin. Additionally, Krista Miller, a visual artist, will paint a custom piece live to be auctioned at the conclusion to also benefit The Storehouse.

“The Storehouse has seen more than a 100 percent increase in neighbors needing food and relies on funding to purchase items from the North Texas Food Bank, says foundation director Jonathan Gregoire. "This telethon-style fundraiser is designed to help The Storehouse serve an increasing number of neighbors in need.”

In honor of North Texas Giving Tuesday Now, Theatre Three is hosting a free livestream on Facebook of award-winning local playwright Matt Lyle's new work. The working reading, featuring local actors, will also have the playwright and director (Jeffrey Schmidt) answer questions and participate in discussion during the reading. It takes place at 7 pm. For more information about the play, go here.

The Arlington Tomorrow Foundation has teamed up with the Levitt Pavilion for a day of free live-streaming music. Beginning at 11 am, performers taking the stage include Brad Russell Band, September Moon, Latin Express, Steve Helms, and award-winning singer/songwriter Sara Hickman (at 7 pm). The shows will be live-streamed through the Levitt's Facebook page. For the Arlington concert venue, the emergency campaign will provide critical funds to help them keep bringing patrons free music.