First statewide Day of Giving raises funds for nonprofits

South Dakota held its first statewide Day of Giving on Tuesday, and Mitchell nonprofits were able to meet or exceed their fundraising goals. The Day of Giving was organized by volunteers from across the state with the goal of raising as much money as possible for nearly 400 501(c)(3) nonprofits across the state in a 24-hour period. Although final dollar amounts are still being calculated, Abbott House Director of Development Virginia Lambert said her organization raised about $9,000 in total. The First Circuit CASA raised about $1,000, according to Executive Director Jackie Horton. Both nonprofits exceeded their goals — Abbott House aimed to raise $8,800, while CASA set a goal of $200. "We've done it in the past and were never successful. So we were actually really pleased with the amount raised," Horton said. Big Friend Little Friend of the Mitchell Area was also involved in the Day of Giving. Marketing and Events Coordinator Amy Muth told The Daily Republic in an email that the nonprofit had not yet totalled its donations, but that all money raised will go toward helping at-risk youth in the area. Mitchell United Way also registered as a participating nonprofit in the Day of Giving, but Executive Director Dave Stevens said the organization did not actively participate in the event. "We had already reached our goal, so we thought, if people want to give, they can give to others," Stevens said. Mitchell United Way met its yearly community fundraising goal in mid-November for the 38th consecutive year, raising a total of $446,259. Lambert said the Abbott House will use its donations for celebrations for which funding is not provided from anywhere else.