By Stuart Adelberg
This past week was a big one for regional philanthropy. Just in case your e-mail inbox was not as jammed as mine with messages from countless worthwhile non-profit organizations, I will enlighten you. February 24th was Fairfield County Giving Day. Powered by Fairfield County’s Community Foundation with Bank of America in the Champion Sponsorship role since the incredible event began several years ago, Giving Day is a 24-hour opportunity for donors to learn about and help support charitable organizations addressing every conceivable field of service. The effort is entirely online and though I don’t know how this year compares to the past, I can tell you that almost 13,000 donors contributed close to $2.2 million to 403 organizations – all in one day!
What I particularly love about this annual effort is that it provides support to organizations of all shapes and sizes. There is some vetting that happens in advance, but every participating organization has the same opportunity to post information, promote their good works and receive donations. The same holds true for donors. Whether one chooses to support one organization or a hundred – with donations of $10 or $10,000 – we go through the exact same process. At a time when there is real concern about inequity in our society – this is about as close as one can get to a level playing field, at least in terms of philanthropy. And it works!
So why is the Executive Director of the Avon Theatre Film Center writing about Giving Day? The reason, beyond my personal interest and involvement with countless non-profits throughout the region, is the thought that you might like to know, in these very challenging times, how the arts fared in this 24-hour celebration of philanthropy. I am grateful to note that my own non-profit, community supported, independent cinema placed within the top 100 organizations on the Giving Day “Leaderboard” based on the funds contributed by 93 donors. But this led me to wonder, beyond the Avon, what else the results might show.
By my count it looks like fifteen out of the first 100 on the Leaderboard are arts and cultural organizations – not a bad showing in my opinion. I tip my hat to Curtain Call – a Stamford based theatrical organization with which I have had a personal relationship – for topping the entire list by raising more than any other organization from an astounding 772 donors! The fifteen arts and cultural organizations combined raised approximately $289,000, roughly 17% of the total raised by all 100 on the list. The 2,352 donors who gave these funds represent 21% of the total givers. I realize my analysis here is not at all scientific and only includes the first 100 on the Leaderboard – but as a patron of the arts, I find the results encouraging.
Just as every meaningful film shown at the Avon has a message, the same can be said for the way in which people act. I have been involved in regional philanthropy for more than 30 years, and I don’t believe that people open their hearts and their wallets without intention. I take two messages from the behavior this week of regional donors. 1. That the arts and culture are truly valued by people throughout Fairfield County and 2. That our vibrant and strong arts and cultural organizations are major players in our communities and touch the lives of thousands of people every day. Not too long ago, we wondered if arts and cultural organizations would survive the pandemic. Clearly, with the continued support of the entire community, they will!
