Nonprofits to benefit

People have particular days this month to donate online to a school, parish or charity – and possibly receive matching or prize gifts for their favorite nonprofit – through a Columbus Big Give event May 18-19 and an Omaha Gives! program May 21.

The Columbus Big Give, organized by the Columbus Philanthropy Council, will help Scotus Central Catholic Junior/Senior High School and 15 other Columbus-area nonprofits.

Omaha Gives!, organized by the Omaha Community Foundation, will benefit 570 nonprofit organizations in Douglas and Sarpy counties in Nebraska and Pottawattamie County in Iowa, including about 60 parishes, schools, pro-life organizations, religious orders and other Catholic ministries in the Archdiocese of Omaha.

The archdiocese, through its Stewardship and Development Office, has been encouraging schools, parishes and various ministries to take advantage of the fundraising events and inviting donors to give.

The events help make people aware of how nonprofit organizations serve others and can bring new donors to the organizations, said Shannan Brommer, director of Stewardship and Development.

Donors can participate in the Columbus fundraiser online at columbusphilanthropy.org/columbus-big-give from 7 p.m. Sunday, May 18, to 7 p.m. Monday, May 19. They also can make donations at a Hy-Vee store in Columbus from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. May 19.

Donors at Omaha Gives! must use a credit card and give $10 or more at omahagives24.org.

Participants can give to multiple organizations at both the Omaha and Columbus events, and organizers will provide regular online updates on giving totals. Both drives will include some matching funds or prizes, such as $1,000 added to randomly selected donations at Omaha Gives!