Microsoft: putting the fun back in South County philanthropy

The Silicon Valley Community Foundation is trying to put the fun back in philanthropy by teaming up with crowd funding website Razoo to provide a 24-hour day of giving event that stands to benefit hundreds of nonprofit organizations spanning three counties.
It’s called Silicon Valley Gives (www.svgives.org), and it’s a 24-hour online fundraising blockbuster—sponsored by Silicon Valley high-tech giant Microsoft and scheduled for May. The event kicks off at noon and runs for a full 24 hours, providing a single online donation platform in an effort to raise millions for charitable organizations of various sizes.
“Silicon Valley Gives will spread the word that everyone can be a philanthropist and make a real difference to meeting the needs of his or her community,” said Dan’l Lewin, Microsoft’s corporate vice president for strategic and emerging business development.
The purpose of the tri-county effort spanning San Mateo, Santa Clara and San Benito counties is aimed at inspiring and uniting local communities to support philanthropic causes.
“Silicon Valley Gives will engage both corporate and individual donors in working together to support our region’s entire nonprofit sector—something that has never happened here before,” said SVCF President Emmett D. Carson. “Whether you are a long-time contributor to charities or a first-time donor who has $20 to donate to help your neighbors, this event will provide an opportunity for everyone in our region to give back to their community while also growing the capacity of local nonprofits to continue their great work.”
Two local nonprofits—the Gilroy Foundation and the Morgan Hill Community Foundation—are both on board along with their partnering organizations in their respective communities.
“Silicon Valley Gives provides a phenomenal opportunity for anyone at any level to be a philanthropist for a day and make a real contribution to the quality of life here in Morgan Hill,” said MHCF President Amy Whelan. “We’re excited to mobilize the community over the next 30 days in the countdown to the May 6 event in support of MHCF and our partners.”
MHCF has awarded approximately $450,000 since its inception in 2002 through its own efforts and its partners. Some of MHCF’s partners who stand to benefit are the Edward Boss Prado Foundation, El Toro Culture and Arts Committee and Friends of the Morgan Hill Senior Center.
“We certainly hope it’s successful,” added Whelan, who did not want to estimate how much money she expects the event to generate for the MHCF. “The Morgan Hill Community Foundation loves to participate in programs like this that have a chance to benefit the community.”
The Gilroy Foundation, which has community partners such as the Gilroy Center for the Arts, Gilroy Unified School District, Latino Family Fund, St. Joseph’s Family Center and St. Mary School, has awarded about $4 million to a diversity of causes over the last 30 years. For the upcoming 24-hour event, Gilroy Foundation has adopted the mantra of “give where you live,” hoping to entice donors who may live in Gilroy but work in Silicon Valley to donate to the local nonprofit.
“We want to provide them with enough information about our organization so, when they are sitting in front of their computer about to make a donation, they think of us,” said Ted Becker of the Gilroy Foundation’s Board of Directors.
Each participating nonprofit must register on razoo.com—considered the world’s fastest-growing crowdfunding site for causes—and set up a webpage describing what their organization is all about, such as its programs and funds set up by partners, to attract as many donors as possible.
The event is full of prizes and matching games by sponsors.
Microsoft, for example, will donate a set of five new Surface 2 tablets for the nonprofit that recruits the most unique donors during the 24-hour event. The Silicon Valley company will also offer a new XBOX One for a nonprofit serving youth which raises the most individual gifts during the 7 p.m. hour and a full software upgrade, valued at $250,000, for the nonprofit with an annual budget less than $2 million that raises the most individual gifts during the 24-hour event.
What is it? 24-hour online fundraising platform on crowdfunding site Razoo hosted by the Silicon Valley Foundation
When is it? May 6 from 12 a.m. to midnight
How to donate
1) Go tosvgives.org, Click on schedule a donation, Search by name, keyword or ZIP Code
2) Goto gilroyfoundation.org, click on “Give Where You Live”
3) Go to morganhillcf.org, click on Silicon Valley Gives
Lead sponsor: Microsoft
—Gorden Russell and Bettina McAdoo will match up to $50,000 for Ravenswood Family Health Center
—Knight Foundation will match up to $35,000 during the 7 a.m. hour
—Sobrato Family Foundation is offering a $2,000 prize every hour for the nonprofit that has the most individual gifts in an hour, every hour for 24 hours.
—Silicon Valley Community Foundation’s Kick-off Match! will provide a two-for-one dollar match for all gifts received between midnight and 1 a.m.
Becker has added a personal touch to the Gilroy Foundation’s efforts. On the patio of his Gilroy home, there is a bell that he calls his wine bell. He invites his neighbors to swing by at any time, maybe during a walk through the neighborhood, and enjoy a complementary glass of wine by just ringing the bell. On the day of giving, he hopes those same neighbors will be inclined to make a donation.