Posted on December 22, 2012

Miami Foundation Raises $1.2 Million During 'Give Miami Day'

The Miami Foundation has announced that it helped raise $1.2 million for local nonprofit organizations during the inaugural Give Miami Day on December 12.

The 24-hour event encouraged the public to make charitable donations to organizations profiled on GiveMiamiDay.org. The foundation and the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation together matched 12.5 percent of every donation between $25 and $10,000. In addition, the Marlins Foundation provided $15,000 in incentive prizes to local groups during the event.

Miami-based Neat Stuff, Inc., which provides new clothing for abused and neglected children, raised $45,875 through the online event, while Children's Movement of Florida, which works to educate parents and leaders from all sectors about the urgent need to substantially improve the way children are cared for, received the largest number of gifts (252) and raised $41,951.

"Give Miami Day completely surpassed our expectations," said Miami Foundation president and CEO Javier Alberto Soto. "The incredible success of this inaugural community-building effort created a special Miami Moment that we should all feel proud of. It has demonstrated that America's long tradition of philanthropy is alive and thriving in Miami. We hope that it also serves to further increase engagement and attachment to Miami on the part of all who call this place home."