The hearts behind the Giving Hearts Day fundraiser are uniting this year.
Twenty-five Grand Forks and East Grand Forks charities are working together to raise awareness for this year's online-only event on Thursday, said Jill Nelson, operations manager for the Grand Forks Parks and Recreation Foundation.
The idea for greater collaboration stems from the average donor intending to give to one organization and but instead donating to three, she said.
"We don't want to make it seem like we're competing for donation dollars, so we decided to collaborate instead," Nelson said. "Our goal is to better the community, and that's where our heart is. We wanted to get the message out about this awesome day."
Charities are promoting the 24-hour event that day by setting up table tents at restaurants, holding live radio interviews and through two events at 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. at Choice Health and Fitness and the Grand Forks YMCA downtown.
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The public events will give people a chance to understand more about the organizations and what the donations will support, Nelson said.
"Maybe you're familiar with Grand Forks Parks and Recreation but maybe you don't know what the Circle of Friends Humane Society is doing," she said. "It's just a way to expose what they're doing to the public."
Donations of $10 or more made at impactgiveback.org that day will be matched by either the Dakota Medical Foundation, a co-host of the event, or multiple donors, she said.
Last year, the event raised $6.96 million for charities and causes in North Dakota and western Minnesota, according to the event website. The online drive was first launched in 2008.
Each year, the event seems to grow larger, Nelson said.
"This year, over 300 nonprofits are part of it," she said.
To donate, visit online impactgiveback.org anytime Thursday.
