Connect to a Cause will help families as well as individuals

Community Foundation of Lorain County is leading a campaign for local residents to put their money where their hearts are on Sept. 17, and we’re in full support of this endeavor.

Connect to a Cause is a 12hour fundraising blitz starting at 8 a.m. and concluding at 8 p.m.

The event will celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Community Foundation by connecting local donors with 56 nonprofits raising money to help neighbors in need.

Cynthia Andrews, president and CEO of the foundation, said planning for the event began in late 2019 as the board of directors considered ways to mark the anniversary.

The Community Foundation intended to help local organizations create endowments to help their future finances.

And nearly 40 organizations applied for help and planning continued earlier this year.

Then, the novel coronavirus pandemic hit.

In March, some of those organizations came forward and indicated they wanted to build a rainy day fund because it was pouring then, and they wanted to know if there was any way they could pivot from endowment.

The Community Foundation staff and board considered the request, and its mission to support Lorain County’s nonprofit organizations.

Andrews and the board said, “of course,” and fortunately changed the project’s focus toward operating support for the groups.

The local nonprofits are feeling the effects of COVID-19 because some of their donors are people who now are unemployed.

It should not come as a surprise that donors and volunteers simply are trying to figure out how to support their own families.

Andrews recognized that this notion of giving has changed.

So, Connect to a Cause is a way the Community Foundation can serve Lorain County to help ensure the community continues to be a great place to live and work today and in the future.

From the beginning, Connect to a Cause was planned as a virtual event.

That platform now works so people do not have to gather in large groups, but still can help.

Donations can start at $5, but the largest donation can be up to anyone’s imagination.

The Community Foundation has posted a list of participating organizations at peoplewhocare.org.

The nonprofits in turn are invited to ask their donors to consider joining in by giving on Sept. 17.

Andrews said the event is all about the network and extending that.

Word, however, already is starting to spread about the 12hour crowdfunding event.

Nonprofits have begun touting the day to their contributors and volunteers.

Participating organizations also will get a chance at a bonus donation if they rally their supporters.

To mark 40 years of existence, the Community Foundation has pledged $40,000 to assist.

The nonprofit that raises the most money will get an extra $10,000, as will the group that has the largest number of donors.

The remaining $20,000 will be divided among the participating nonprofits on a prorated basis.

Even before this event is finished, the Community Foundation staff and local nonprofits already are talking about another Connect to a Cause event in 2021.

This is good news for the nonprofits in Lorain County because they are so critical to residents.

These groups respond to the COVID-19 pandemic, emergency needs or address social issues.

And these vital organizations are trying to meet the increased demand for their services, and they really need support.

The Community Foundation will direct the funds to the local charities of someone’s choice.

Participating organizations are featured in an online “catalog” that residents can “shop” to select those to support.

The donations will go directly to the selected charity, and each dollar raised will count toward the organization’s proportional share of the Community Foundation Board’s $40,000 contribution.

Participating nonprofits represent arts and culture, education and youth development, community development, emergency needs, health and human services, social justice and more.

Save Our Children of Elyria is one of the nonprofits participating in Connect to a Cause.

Darla M. Character-Johnson, executive director of Save Our Children, said the group’s involvement is crucial because of the strong support it continues to receive from the community and surrounding areas.

Character-Johnson said the commitment Save our Children shares is for the betterment of the families and results in rewarding and positive partnerships. The group incorporates full circle academic assistance, wraparound health and wellness programming while promoting leadership, mentorship and creating hearts of service.

And the donations Save Our Children receive will support direct services for students in grades K-12.

We’re urging people to donate during Connect to a Cause because the funds will help families and individuals during these difficult times.