The 2023 CoMoGives campaign wants you to bust a move for area nonprofits.
Starting Nov. 28, aligning with Giving Tuesday, and running through Dec. 31, the campaign is asking, “What moves you?”
So, as a physical representation of that question CoMoGives is promoting the “Dip. Dance. Give. Dance-a-Thon” throughout the monthlong campaign.
Community members are encouraged, either individually or in groups, “to create a dance expressing what moves them to support CoMoGives” and its 173 nonprofit campaign participants. The dance does not have to be choreographed as “spontaneity is welcome.”
Participants are asked to record a video of the dance and share it to Facebook or Instagram tagging @CoMoGives and anyone else a person or group would like to challenge to show off their dance moves in support of the campaign.
“Showcase what moves you. This could be through a sign, a verbal shout out or text overlay,” CoMoGives said about what should be in the video, such as saying “Voluntary Action Center moves me! What moves you?”
Those with CoMoGives campaigns also are encouraged to participate in creating dance-a-thon videos and others that highlight the nonprofit’s mission and other stories.
“By combining the joy of dance with the spirit of giving, the 2023 CoMoGives campaign aims tocreate a unified wave of generosity,” CoMoGives said. “They are urging our community to work together to celebrate and support the organizations that make Columbia and Mid-Missouri truly special.”
A $2 million goal
CoMoGives through the various fundraising campaigns, peer to peer events and other pledges aims to raise $2 million in 2023. This is the same goal as in 2022 that wasn’t quite reached.
Community Foundation of Central Missouri Executive Director John Baker in January said last year’s campaign not reaching the $2 million threshold likely was down to inflation impacting people’s available discretionary income to give to nonprofits.
Even so, Baker says he is ready to participate in this year’s dance-a-thon.
“CoMoGives has grown to be a fun way to motivate giving that improves lives in central Missouri. I’m even going to post a dance and show what organization moves me (and I’m a lousy dancer), and I hope you will, too,” he said.
How CoMoGives works
Once the campaign goes live, area residents can support area nonprofits through minimum $10 donations paid with a card through a nonprofit’s donation page on the CoMoGives website.
People also are participating in Peer-to-Peer fundraisers. One such fundraiser last year meant for every $50 raised up to $1,000 a book was purchased for Little Free Libraries. The ultimate goal was aimed at supporting the Unbound Book Festival.
Applications for Peer-to-Peer fundraisers were due Nov. 14.
Participant organizations also aim to receive various challenge grants from the Community Foundation of Central Missouri. There are 23 challenge grants totaling $18,000. There are grants for organizations that raised the most money, most money raised by first-time participants and many more.
There are 28 first-time campaign participants, such as Columbia Farmers Market, CoMo Mobile Aid Collective, and People Embracing Another Choice Effectively, or P.E.A.C.E, among others.
More:CoMoGives peer-to-peer fundraiser benefits Unbound Book Festival, Little Free Libraries
Those seeking to donate can also sort by organizations who do not offer other premiums, or incentives for donating, or those who have a fund through the Community Foundation of Central Missouri. There are challenge grants for nonprofits that don’t offer donation incentives.
“This challenge grant kind of levels the playing field between the two categories of ‘do and don’t’ offer (premiums),” Baker said, adding organizations that have a fund with the Community Foundation is down to a number a reasons, such as “rainy day, endowment revenue, capital project collection, online donations, etc. We hope that more and more organizations will have a fund with CFCM and this challenge grant is directed to those orgs who have such a fund.”
The Community Foundation provides savings-like accounts for organizations that opt to have a fund with the foundation.
From 2021:Missouri River Relief gets boost in CoMoGives Campaign from Santa and Mrs. Claus
Charles Dunlap covers local government, community stories and other general subjects for the Tribune. You can reach him at cdunlap@columbiatribune.com or @CD_CDT on Twitter. Subscribe to support vital local journalism.