Publisher’s Note: What Works Studio, the agency that produces What Weekly, is proud to have served as GiveCorp’s marketing partner for the Bmore Gives More campaign.
$5.5 Million and counting. That’s how much money Baltimore raised for charitable causes yesterday on #GivingTuesday as part of the Bmore Gives More initiative. The #GivingTuesday concept was created by the 92nd Street Y in New York city for people to take the Tuesday after Thanksgiving and devote it to charity. People can give however much they’d like to whichever charitable cause they choose but by deciding to give on Tuesday, December 3rd they are making a show of solidarity and encouraging others to get in on the movement. After a busy holiday season of shopping, many are appreciative of taking a step back and devoting a day to helping those in need. This campaign has grown to a national movement with supporters as lofty as the White House; the campaign was very excited to see an official posting from the White House blog.
Baltimore’s own GiveCorps decided to get in on the action and show that even though Baltimore is smaller than cities like New York, we can give just as much, if not more. To that end, GiveCorps spearheaded this year’s “Bmore Gives More” campaign. The campaign had the lofty goal of showing that Baltimore is the “Most Generous City in America” and achieved a remarkable $5.5 million on #GivingTuesday. The campaign emphasized that individuals or organizations can decide how and where they want to focus their charitable efforts. It doesn’t matter if someone is an individual with a modest income if someone is a member of a foundation that gives out large grants – he or she is still an important part of the #GivingTuesday movement.
Local businesses and institutions were enthusiastic participants, with outfits like Joe Squared offering a special Bmore Gives More pizza and donating the profits or Charm City Run having a special sale with a percentage of the proceeds going towards charity. The mayor’s office has been a vocal supporter, with Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake lending her name and image to promote the Bmore Gives More campaign.
“I am so proud to join GiveCorps and its partners to say that we did it,” said Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake. “Hundreds of our local charities and programs that do so much good for our community will benefit from the generosity shown by Baltimoreans on #GivingTuesday. During this season of giving, it is great to know that Baltimore is the most generous city in America. This is a prime example of what I have always said, in Baltimore, we come together, we roll up our sleeves and we get things done. Thanks to everyone who made the Bmore Gives More initiative a success, including City of Baltimore employees.”
Non-profit groups and organizations banded together in a big way as well, including local stalwarts like the Association of Baltimore Area Grantmakers, The Associated Jewish Community Federation (which was a #GivingTuesday pioneer, accounting for the most money raised in the country last year on #GivingTuesday) and Blue Water Baltimore.
The campaign may be done for the year but there is still plenty of need for philanthropy n Baltimore; you can get more involved at the Bmore Gives More website. You can also follow the campaign’s social media here: Facebook, Twitter and Tumblr.
Publisher’s Note: What Works Studio, the agency that produces What Weekly, is proud to have served as GiveCorp’s marketing partner for the Bmore Gives More campaign.
