SANTA CRUZ COUNTY—Santa Cruz Gives, the digital giving movement founded by the Pajaronian’s sister publication Good Times and Volunteer Center of Santa Cruz County, is close to hitting its goal this holiday season.
The campaign raises money for various nonprofits across the county which support the needs of youth, seniors, the arts, animals and the environment, health and wellness, food and nutrition, housing and homelessness, the disabled and the LGBTQ+ community.
Donors can search through SantaCruzGives.org to learn about each organization and its goals for the upcoming year. There, they can give a donation, big or small, to any of the selected nonprofits in a matter of moments.
For donors who prefer to pay cash or deliver a check in Watsonville, they may bring payments to The Volunteer Center, 349 Main St., Suite 208. They may also contact a participating nonprofit directly. Each nonprofit can accept cash donations for their organization on behalf of Santa Cruz Gives.
Fundraising for this year is up 35 percent from last year as the campaign heads into its final week. There is a record number of beneficiary groups (37) and Kaiser Permanente, Swenson Builders and Wynn Capital Management joined in as sponsors for the first time this year. Santa Cruz County Bank continues to be the fundraiser’s lead sponsor.
Watsonville organizations dominate those chosen for this year’s Santa Cruz Gives. Farm Discovery at Live Earth, an educational farming organization based in Watsonville, is in the lead with $44,085 raised as of Thursday, including $23,000 in matching funds and $21,085 individual donations.
Watsonville Wetlands Watch, an organization aiming to preserve and restore the natural wetlands of the Pajaro Valley, has raised $12,695, including $11,300 in matching funds and $1,395 in individual donations. Mesa Verde Gardens, which has built a network of organic community gardens in the Pajaro Valley, has raised $10,645, with $10,000 in matching funds and $645 individual donations.
County-wide nonprofits Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter Foundation, UnChained, Housing Matters, Food, What?! and Homeless Garden Project are also on the leaderboard.
Selected nonprofits will receive donated funds, matching funds and be eligible for three awards: Most Donors Overall, Most Donors Under 35 years old and Most Innovative Program. Each honor comes with a $1,000 award.
Here are five nonprofits that are looking for more donations:
• The Diversity Center of Santa Cruz County — Advocates for, supports and celebrates the county’s LGBTQ+ community. The Big Idea: Camp OUT is an annual camp offering LGBTQ+ kids a chance to learn camping skills, share their struggles and meet other campers like them—usually for the first time. Donations will fund next year’s and future camps.
• Youth N.O.W. — Serves the youth of Pajaro Valley through free academic, social and emotional support programs. The Big Idea: Cultivating Success 2020 is an annual event that recognizes six inspiring middle and high school youth. Each student receives a small scholarship to pay for school supplies, college expenses or explore creative interests. Donations allow the organization to increase scholarship amounts and establish future funds.
• Safe Families for Children Alliance — This volunteer-fueled movement aims to reduce the number of families entering foster care by offering prevention-based intervention. The Big Idea: the launch of Safe Families for Children in Santa Cruz. The nonprofit had a soft launch in 2019 and hopes to expand. Funding aids volunteer recruitment, screenings, training and supervision.
• Wings Homeless Advocacy — Aims to train volunteer advocates to help those moving out of homelessness. The Big Idea: donations will fund the nonprofit’s Welcome Home baskets, full of essential personal care and household items, transportation and more.
• Santa Cruz Chamber Players — Promotes live chamber music and provides performance opportunities for local musicians. The Big Idea: donations will fund concerts, historical talks and Q&A sessions.
There are 12 days until Santa Cruz Gives wraps up on Dec. 31 at midnight. For information, a full list of nonprofits and to donate visit santacruzgives.org.
