Myriad nonprofits deliver one message: Give

Nevadans are struggling to make ends meet, and the effects are trickling down to the state's nonprofits, which have seen individual giving and state dollars dwindle since the recession began.

Nevada has never been heralded as the most charitable of states, but organizers of Nevada's Big Give, today's 24-hour online fundraising drive at NVBigGive.org, are pushing to change that reputation with the first event of its kind in the state.

"We were earlier this year looking at ways to make giving fun and simple for people throughout the state, as a way to increase philanthropy, but also as a way to support nonprofits during this really difficult economic time," said Stacey Wedding, board president of organizer NevadaGives.

After School All-Stars Las Vegas is one of the charities that stands to benefit from Nevada's Big Give. Executive director Jackie Locks hopes the event will raise funds and awareness for her organization, which offers after-school programs for at-risk youth; but she hopes other nonprofits will benefit, too.

"There are literally hundreds of nonprofits participating and this will be a great opportunity to showcase the great things going on throughout our state," Locks said.

The drive to raise at least $1 million will be especially helpful for charities that haven't established an online presence.

Laurie Mann, marketing director for event sponsor United Way of Southern Nevada, said the organization has been drumming up support for Nevada's Big Give and reaching out to nonprofits that aren't already using web-driven fundraising.

More than 400 501(c)3-registered organizations statewide have signed up to participate in Nevada's Big Give. Some 300 of those nonprofits are based in Southern Nevada. How it works: Log onto NVBigGive.org and search for the charity of your choice to use a debit or credit card to donate at least $10.

Users can follow the website throughout the day to see which organizations are topping the list of donations.

Nevada ranks near the bottom of most philanthropy lists. The state was 37th in average charitable contributions per tax return in 2009, despite ranking 18th in average gross income, according to a report from the Urban Institute's National Center for Charitable Statistics.

Nevada was dead last in the federal Corporation for National and Community Service's study of volunteerism in America between 2008 and 2010. About 20 percent of Nevadans volunteer for philanthropic work.

Local nonprofit NevadaGives, which educates individuals and businesses about ways to donate resources, suggested the online fundraising drive after seeing it work in other states. Each of the statewide events had a different name, but all used the same fundraising website, Razoo.

In Park City, Utah, almost $350,000 was raised. In the greater Washington D.C., area, $2 million in donations rolled in. Minnesota's Give to the Max Day last year raised more than $10 million for 3,663 nonprofits.

Nevada is modeling itself after Minnesota. Wedding reached out to the organizers of that state's day of giving and grilled them on how to make Nevada's Big Give a success.

NevadaGives is tapping businesses for help with the event. Companies such as Wal-Mart, Republic Services and the Golden Nugget are encouraging employees to contribute.

Businesses can also offer matching grants for their charities of choice. A business owner can offer a last-minute match by contacting NevadaGives during the day, Wedding said.

Even if Nevada doesn't reach the $1 million mark, the union of north and south and rural areas between is a significant milestone in the state's philanthropic efforts, organizers said.

"It's our state taking a stand and saying, 'We want to change our community, and it takes everyone's involvement to do that,'" Mann said.

Contact reporter Caitlin McGarry at cmcgarry@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-5273.