‘Overwhelming response’: Here’s how much Centre Gives 2024 raised for local nonprofits

Josh Moyer
·3 min read

A year after setting a new fundraising record for local nonprofits, Centre Gives has done it again.

The 36-hour annual online fundraising event, organized by Centre Foundation, raised a record-breaking $2.49 million for more than 200 local nonprofits and from 16,577 donors. The total eclipsed last year’s mark of $2.31 million.

Since the event began, in 2012, more than $19.7 million has been raised.

“We are thrilled by the overwhelming response and exceptional generosity shown during Centre Gives,” Molly Kunkel, president and CEO of Centre Foundation, said in a Friday news release that announced the official total as $2,493,819. “The incredible success of the fundraiser is a testament to the generosity of our community and their dedication to making Centre County an even better place for all.

“We are deeply grateful for each and every donor and sponsor who chose to invest in the future of our community.”

Among the largest nonprofit beneficiaries this year included Centre Volunteers in Medicine ($97,091); Centre County PAWS ($96,833); State College Food Bank ($88,006); Schlow Library Foundation ($84,794) and ClearWater Conservancy ($70,48). Two dozen nonprofits received at least $25,000; while an additional 31 earned more than $10,000.

A sign hangs outside The State Theatre on Thursday during Centre Gives. Abby Drey/adrey@centredaily.com
A sign hangs outside The State Theatre on Thursday during Centre Gives. Abby Drey/adrey@centredaily.com

Donations made during the fundraiser went further with a $300,000 stretch pool provided by Centre Foundation and the Hamer Foundation. Organizations also competed for $40,000 in additional prizes during “power hours” and time-sensitive challenges.

The final hours of the 36-hour fundraising event were celebrated in-person Thursday at event venue Brass 16823, in Spring Township’s Titan Energy Park. According to Centre Foundation, more than 30 organizations — along with hundreds of people — attended and enjoyed music, food and a variety of family-friendly activities.

More than 30 nonprofits, and hundreds of people, celebrated the last hours of Centre Gives on Thursday. Nearly $2.5 million was raised for local nonprofits during the 36-hour annual online fundraising event. Pat Little/Courtesy of Centre Foundation
More than 30 nonprofits, and hundreds of people, celebrated the last hours of Centre Gives on Thursday. Nearly $2.5 million was raised for local nonprofits during the 36-hour annual online fundraising event. Pat Little/Courtesy of Centre Foundation

Marisa Vicere, president and founder of the Jana Marie Foundation, which focuses on young people’s mental health, was among those to take part. Her nonprofit raised just over $30,000.

“It’s a tremendous display of community solidarity in Centre County,” Vicere said in a news release. “We all work together to support each other, our friends and our neighbors.”

Centre Gives 2024 was sponsored by community members such as the Hamer Foundation, FNB Wealth Management, Nestlerode & Loy Inc., Stuckey Mitsubishi, Morgan Stanley, Frost & Conn Insurance, M&T Bank, King Financial Partners, Leonard S. Fiore Inc., McQuaide Blasko, State College Police Department, The Hartman Agency, Kish Bank and the William H. & Amy Sue Martin Fund at Centre Foundation.

Advertising efforts were also supported by Seven Mountains Media, Centre Daily Times and Lamar.

For more information on Centre Gives, or to see what each nonprofit received, visit centregives.org.