‘A beautiful thing’: Giving Tuesday’s impact on C.O. nonprofits extends far and wide

(Updated: adding video, comments from nonprofit leaders)

Numerous Central Oregon nonprofits seek funds, visibility as part of effort to overcome COVID-19 challenges

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- Giving Tuesday is a day when people around the nation and the world are urged to donate to a wide variety of worthy nonprofits and charities. Here in Central Oregon, local organizations celebrate the day.

Coming after Black Friday, then Small Business Saturday, followed by Cyber Monday it's a special chance for organizations large and small to coordinate their efforts and raise funds -- and visibility.

"Giving Tuesday is a global generosity movement, a day dedicated to donating money to organizations," organizers say. You can learn more about Giving Tuesday efforts around the country here.

Giving Tuesday was created as a way to focus on nonprofits after the commercialization seen on Black Friday and Cyber Monday.

A lot of nonprofits rely on one big fundraising event a year, but the ongoing pandemic has limited that possibility -- and many organizations have taken a hit.

The Deschutes River Alliance, which advocates for a healthier ecosystem in the lower Deschutes, knows this struggle well.

Sarah Cloud, the executive director, says their annual event is the backbone of their fundraising, making Giving Tuesday an even bigger deal this year.

"This is where we bring in the income to get us through until our event, and then the next year of giving," Cloud told NewsChannel 21 on Tuesday.

Another Central Oregon nonprofit, Friends of the Children Central Oregon, works to end generational poverty, and appreciates Giving Tuesday.

Its director, Rachel Cardwell, says they don't rely on the day so much for financial help, but more as a way to bring awareness about what they do.

"It's important to be a part of that message and a part of the visible focus on nonprofit and charitable work," Cardwell said.

The Redmond Food Project, another local organization, got a big boost on this Giving Tuesday.

It was created at the start of the pandemic to fight hunger in Central Oregon. The nonprofit doesn't do any marketing to raise funds.

So founder Sharrie Sheridan was shocked when OnPoint Credit Union donated $15,000 to the group, part of the $2.2 million OnPoint donated to 277 non-profits in 2021, a new record for the credit union’s annual giving program.  

"It was a surprise -- a wonderful surprise," Sheridan said. "Just nice to see the businesses in the community take part and help us out."

All three group's leaders agree that the donations help keep them going -- in more ways than one.

"Not only financially, but also just reaffirms in our brains that this is work that's important, and you know, it's someone saying that - that river matters," said Cloud. "And that the work we're doing to serve and protect it matters."

"It isn't always about the dollar," said Cardwell. "It's about the people who care deeply about the work you do, inviting them into the work that you do, and giving them an opportunity to be a part of the impact."

"The folks that are receiving the food first and foremost, they're the beneficiaries of the project," Sheridan said.

"It's just a beautiful thing all the way around."