Connect to a Cause crowdfunding surpasses last year’s donations

Foundation coordinates day of giving

Donations came in droves for 65 nonprofit and charitable organizations participating in a one-day giving blitz coordinated by the Community Foundation of Lorain County.

Connect to a Cause ran for 12 hours Sept. 16 as local groups rallied supporters to give during the crowdfunding event.

The exact total will be revealed in a presentation planned Oct. 1 at the Sunset Terrace of Lakeview Park in Lorain.

It’s clear this year’s total surpassed the 2020 number, said Brittany Lovett, Community Foundation marketing and communications officer.

Last year, more than 1,000 donors raised $148,000, with a $40,000 match, for a total of $188,000 divided among 56 participating nonprofits.

This year, there were more organizations and more awareness, both online and in person, about how the day operates, Lovett said.

“Yesterday was a success,” she said.

At businesses around Lorain

County, Lovett said she heard compliments about the one-day campaign.

“It seems like no matter where we go in the county, everyone knew about Connect to a Cause,” Lovett said.

“Maybe not everyone gave, but everyone was excited and they could feel the buzz around the county.”

People were dropping off checks at the Community Foundation office, 9080 Leavitt Road in Amherst Township, as late as 7:45 p.m., Sept. 16.

Foundation financial staff were tallying the figures a day later, Lovett said.

Based on the first two years, Lovett predicted the Community Foundation board would consider another Connect to a Cause day in 2022.

The Community Foundation of Lorain County has an endowment of about $143 million and has had more than 22,000 donors over the past 40 years.

It has hundreds of funds, including specialty funds dedicated to causes involving the African American and Hispanic communities, women and youth.

KEVIN MARTIN — THE MORNING JOURNAL Friendship APL Executive Director Greg Willey, left, and Community Foundation of Lorain County President and CEO Cynthia Andrews participate in Connect to a Cause on Sept. 16in raising money for local nonprofit organizations. “Baby Ruth,” a chihuahua mix and “Dickens” a yellow Labrador retriever are both available for adoption.