'There is enough to go around': Give Big raises record $3.2M for Gallatin nonprofits
Give Big Gallatin Valley, the annual community fundraising day, broke records this year by raising more than $3.2 million for local nonprofits.
“It shows that Gallatin County really cares about the community and they want to give to (organizations) that support their values,” said Chloe Loeffelholz, the nonprofit programming manager at One Valley Community Foundation.
Give Big, featuring 265 nonprofits serving Gallatin County, provided donors with the opportunity to discover and support organizations that align with their values.
The roster included community engagement groups, educational outreach programs, arts and culture initiatives, and outdoor recreation organizations.
Since its genesis in 2015, Give Big has raised more than $23.5 million, benefitting 525 nonprofits.
“It’s a labor of love to coordinate that many organizations, but one of (One Valley’s) values is the value of abundance,” Loeffelholz said. “There is enough to go around, and Give Big is a really exciting expression of that.”
Give Big was started in 2015 by One Valley President Bridget Wilkinson. After hearing nonprofits across the community express a need for creative ways to garner support and bring community members closer to their work, Wilkinson began designing the first Give Big event.
“Then the idea really took shape. What if our community came together to celebrate the nonprofits that make a difference? What if we made giving fun? What if your $5 and my $5 added to something big together?” Loeffelholz said.
In 2015, Give Big aimed to raise $100,000 across all nonprofits. It exceeded that goal twofold, setting the precedent for nearly 12 years of growth.
Other than a dip in 2025, Give Big has raised higher funds every year, breaking $1 million in 2018, $2 million in 2021, and $3 million in 2024.
While large donations are highly appreciated by nonprofits, Loeffelholz said small donations are equally important.
“Small gifts are not small in impact especially when we all give them together,” she said.
This year, more than 5,600 donors participated in Give Big, representing just over 4% of Gallatin County’s population.
“(One Valley) has been working so hard to grow the recognition of this day, and it’s great to be a part of it,” Chet Work, executive director of Gallatin Valley Land Trust, said. “We’ve been working hard to promote (Give Big) not just to help GVLT, but we hope donors might click on another organization and support them.”
GVLT received the most donors with 535. The organization exceeded its $100,000 goal by more than 10%, and Work said the funds will support land protection and trails programs across Gallatin, Park and Madison counties.
“Give Big really enhances the land stewardship values we have at GVLT,” Work said. “You could call it the rising tide that lifts all the ships.”
This year, donations made during Give Big were fee-free due to a donation from the Jill and Nicholas Woodman Foundation at One Valley.
“We know fees can be a barrier to giving and a barrier to generosity,” Loeffelholz said. “Removing fees ensures that 100% donations go to the causes donors care about, nonprofits receive larger sums they can directly divert to their mission and their work.”
While the official Give Big day was conducted April 30 and May 1, donations can still be made through Tuesday, May 5, on the Give Big website.
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