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Local non-profits prep for biggest fund-raising day of the year

Kelly Brinkley, Chief Operating Officer of the United Way of the National Capital Area, say it's a critical time. "This day makes a tremendous difference."
Credit: Gahagan, Sarah
300 local non-profits gather at Catholic University of America to train for the United Way's Do More 24 fundraising day.

Local non-profits are getting ready for one of the biggest fund-raising days of the year.

"Do More 24" is a day-long United Way organized event designed to help bring awareness to 501(c)(3) organizations in Maryland, Virginia and D.C. From 12 p.m. on May 17 to 12 p.m. on May 18, donors will be encouraged to give locally.

Dozens of the non-profits met at Catholic University of America in D.C. to get training from United Way organizers and prep for the big day.

This year’s theme is “reclaim kindness.”

Kelly Brinkley, Chief Operating Officer of the United Way of the National Capital Area, said it’s a critical time.

“This day makes a tremendous difference," Brinkley said. "It comes at the time of year where a lot of non-profits don’t have as much funding to get through the end of their fiscal year so they need these funds."

Brinkley also pointed out many of these groups are dealing with federal budget cuts this year, making these dollars even more critical.

Jill’s House, a non-profit in Vienna, Virginia provides overnight respite to families raising children with intellectual disabilities. Their first year participating in the event, they raised $6,000.

Last year, that number jumped to $55,000. That allowed Jill’s House to move 85 families off their waiting list.

“We know there are thousands of other families we could and will be serving in the coming years and Do More 24 has been so amazing in helping us get there each year,” said Kayla Slagter, Donor Relations Manager for Jill’s House.

Playworks of Greater Washington D.C. is an in school elementary-based program working in 22 schools reaching 10,000 children. This event helped them reach new donors and inspired the group to think even bigger.

“It makes you feel like you can do anything. We were incredibly surprised by all of the new donors…it made us feel like there was no way we would not reach every child in D.C. and the DMV with safe and healthy play every day,” said Executive Director Jennifer Oxley.

Those donations allowed Playworks of Greater Washington D.C. to offer new spots to junior coaches and start a new mentorship program. This year they hope to expand from D.C. into Northern Virginia and Southern Maryland.

WUSA9 is a proud partner of this event along with United Way NCA and will be profiling a dozen of these non-profit groups in May as part of project Impact: Give Back.

There’s still time for non-profits to register for Do More 24. You can get more information here>> . To register click here>>.

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