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Nonprofit News: May 2026

That’s a Wrap on the 2026 Giving Challenge!



A record number of nonprofits participated in this year’s challenge, and the results were extraordinary.

More than 50,000 individuals came together to donate $16.7 million to a record 751 nonprofits during last month’s Giving Challenge! This year’s challenge was the 10th hosted by the Community Foundation of Sarasota County, with giving strengthened by The Patterson Foundation, and last month’s results brought the cumulative impact of the initiative to nearly $110 million since the first challenge took place in 2012.

Overall, 50,863 donors made 87,814 gifts during the campaign, which benefited nonprofits working in a wide range of fields, from health care to housing, arts and culture, education, the environment, and more. One couple even joined the Giving Challenge “100 Percent Club” by donating $100 to all 751 nonprofits taking part in the challenge. Their anonymous $75,100 gift was fully matched by The Patterson Foundation, bringing the couple’s total impact to $150,200.



The Community Foundation would like to thank every donor who gave, every nonprofit that participated, every board member and volunteer who stepped up, and everyone else who made this year’s Giving Challenge possible. Thank you for your work, your dedication, and your generosity!

What You Need to Know About

Giving Challenge Prizes



Some prize winners have been announced, while others will be unveiled in the coming weeks.

This year’s Giving Challenge included 21 different prize opportunities for nonprofits, several of them sponsored by Community Foundation media partners and other area foundations. A number of prize winners have already been announced on the Giving Challenge website, while applications in other categories, such as Best Use of Social Media and Best Overall Campaign, continue to be evaluated. Visit the “Prizes” section of the Giving Challenge website to find a list of all the winners that have been announced so far.

To see the winning entries in this year’s Best Giving Challenge Photo contest, hosted by Observer Media Group, click here.

Recordings of Giving Challenge Trainings Are Still Available



The videos and supporting materials are packed with relevant info for nonprofits.

Beginning last September, the Community Foundation, in partnership with The Patterson Foundation and GiveGab, offered a series of in-depth online training sessions for nonprofits participating in the Giving Challenge. While the challenge has passed, the information in the trainings remains relevant for nonprofits hoping to improve their marketing efforts, their donor stewardship, and more.

Click here to find recordings of all our 2026 Giving Challenge trainings.

In addition to the video recordings, you can also access the PowerPoint presentations used during the webinars:

• "Kick-Off Webinar: Getting Ready" 
• "Set Your Organization up for Giving Challenge Success" 
• "Giving Challenge Campaign Communications Planning" 
• “Countdown to Impact” 
• “Final Steps to Success” 
• “Donor Stewardship and Retention After the Giving Challenge” 

Bring Your Questions to Our Next

Office Hours Session

Our Community Impact department holds weekly Zoom sessions for nonprofits from 11:00 a.m. to noon every Friday. This is an excellent opportunity to ask specific questions about grants or grant applications that may affect your nonprofit.

There's no need to pre-register. Just click the link below to join.

Fueling Dynamic Fundraising Applications Now Being Accepted

Applications are due Thursday, June 4.

The Patterson Foundation is currently accepting applications for Cohort 5 of Fueling Dynamic Fundraising, an initiative designed to help nonprofits strengthen fundraising capacity and expand their mission.

In partnership with Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy’s The Fund Raising School, this initiative offers two fully funded, in-person courses focused on strengthening fundraising practice and advancing organizational effectiveness. Participants also engage in a cohort-based experience that supports continued learning, collaboration, and shared growth across organizations.

Fueling Dynamic Fundraising is designed for nonprofits that are:

• Seeking to grow or formalize their fundraising efforts
• Ready to invest time in long-term capacity building
• Interested in building sustainable fundraising practices, not just short-term solutions
• Committed to applying what they learn across their organization

Nonprofit Job Bank

Whether you're seeking a new nonprofit position or you want to post an open position at your organization, your local resource is the Association of Fundraising Professionals Southwest Florida Chapter's Job Bank, supported by the Community Foundation of Sarasota County.

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