GiveNOLA Day returns on May 7

GiveNOLA Day, a 24-hour online fundraiser coordinated by the Greater New Orleans Foundation for non-profits in the greater New Orleans area, returns on May 7, with 16 local Jewish agencies participating.

The 17 participating organizations in the Jewish community last year raised around $332,600, down about 10 percent from the previous year. The overall fundraiser was down slightly, raising $7.779 million through 54,561 donations to 951 organizations. The previous year came in at $7.9 million.

This year’s participants include Avodah, Gates of Prayer, Temple Sinai, Hadassah, Jewish Children’s Regional Service, Jewish Community Center, Jewish Community Day School, Jewish Family Service of Greater New Orleans, Jewish Federation of Greater New Orleans, Museum of the Southern Jewish Experience, National Council of Jewish Women, Northshore Jewish Congregation, Shir Chadash, Slater Torah Academy, Touro Synagogue and Tulane Hillel.

The Federation is usually among the top organizations, coming in third overall last year with $210,427 from 209 donors. The Museum of the Southern Jewish Experience was 37th overall, with $33,112 from 109 donors.

While the main campaign is from 12 a.m. to 11:59 p.m. on May 7, gifts can also be pre-scheduled from April 23 to May 6.

Sponsors and donors contribute to the GiveNOLA Lagniappe Fund, which is divided proportionately among the participating non-profits based on how much they raise.

There are also hourly Rock Around the Clock bonuses of $500 all day, and any organization with a donation during that hour is eligible for the random drawing — though none of the Jewish participants have received one in the last three years. Pre-scheduled gifts are not counted toward Rock Around the Clock.

The organizations with the most money raised gets a $7,500 bonus in the large, medium and small organization categories. Similar awards go to groups with the most individual donors. Bonuses are given through fifth place.