The end is nigh, but 2016 isn’t over just yet: “Let’s end the year on a high note, with a great last week of donations for the 2016 Give!Local nonprofits,” urges Susan Hutchinson, coordinator for Mountain Xpress‘ Give!Local project.
As the two-month campaign enters its final week, donation totals are closing in on the philanthropic project’s second-year goal of $60,000. Hutchinson is urging anyone thinking about making a donation to do so quickly. The effort to raise funds for 47 outstanding WNC nonprofits ends at the stroke of midnight, Dec. 31.
The benefits of donating through the project are broad spectrum and win-win: You help some of your favorite local nonprofits, you feel good about helping, and you get some great perks! Make a donation of $20 or more and you get some terrific stuff.
To make a gift, go to givelocalguide.org, where can you learn about the different participating nonprofits and pick your favorites to add to your shopping cart. All the money you give (minus the minimal credit-card processing fee) goes directly to the nonprofits you designate. Your incentive will be sent out in late January.
Give $20 or more and we’ll send you a voucher book in January with coupons for:
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a free pizza slice with two toppings from Barley’s
- a free kiddie scoop from The Hop
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a free bag of Gold Cookies from Zuma
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a free muffin or medium coffee from Mosaic Cafe
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$5 off a dinner entrée from Up Country Brewing
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$10 off a purchase of $20 or more from Patton Avenue Pets
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50 percent off a Day Pass for gear from Gearu
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buy one, get one free espresso drink from Hi Five Coffee
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buy one, get one free class from Empyrean Arts
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buy one, get one free caramel from Kilwin’s
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discounted merchandise from Highlands
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discounted gift shop purchases from Asheville Museum of Science
Give $250 or more and get the voucher book — plus these extras:
- a pair of tickets to the Fine Arts Theatre
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a free entrée at Blue Dream Curry
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a theatre ticket to Anam Cara Theatre
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day pass for two for Gearu Equipment
Give $500 or more and receive the voucher book, the above extras — plus these items:
- $25 coupon to a LaZoom Tour
- $20 gift certificate to Malaprop’s Bookstore
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$10 gift card to Old Europe
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$10 gift card to Karen Donatelli’s
- $5 gift card to Geraldine’s Bakery
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gift card to Embellish Asheville
Give $1,000 or more and we will personally deliver a gift basket to your home or business (in the Asheville area) containing all of the above, plus:
- $25 gift card to Black Bird Restaurant
- $20 gift card to the French Broad Chocolate Lounge
- tickets to the Bardo Theatre
- handmade coffee mug
- seasonal brews and treats
- samples of goods from local producers
- Give!Local tee-shirt
- and more
It’s easy to donate via Give!Local
- Visit givelocalguide.org
- Check out the 47 participating nonprofits above and learn about their missions and how they are helping make this a great community.
- Create an account.
- Decide which nonprofits you want to give to, and how much, from $1 up to as much as you like. The site’s shopping cart will total what you’re giving to each nonprofit, allowing you to go back and adjust your amounts before you check out.
- Check out and pay with a credit card.
- You’re done! If you donate $20 or more, you’ll receive an incentive packet in the mail in January—unless you give $1,000 or more, in which case, we will hand-deliver a bag of goodies to your Asheville-area home or business.
Check online for opportunities, offers, and updates!
“We’re also looking for partner businesses, such as restaurants, venues, retailers, etc, to reward donors,” Hutchinson notes. “If your business would like to reach a targeted demographic of buyers, please email me.”: Businesses or foundations that would like to sponsor monetary prizes for Give!Local categories (e.g., people, environment, kids, arts) are invited to provide matching grants or otherwise support the project. Contact givelocal@mountainx.com for info.
Meanwhile, as Give!Local approaches the finish line,Hutchinson is already gearing up for 2017 campaign. Hutchinson says she expects to keep the number of participating nonprofits at about 50 next year, with a mix of large/small, new and returning groups supporting a variety of causes, some of them well known and some lesser known. Nonprofits must have 501(c)3 standing. Those wanting to be considered for 2017, should fill out an application form or email Hutchinson at givelocal@mountainx.com with questions.
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