SALT LAKE CITY – Utahns raised $1.2 million for a variety of charities Thursday as part of an annual day of giving called “Love Utah, Give Utah.”
This year marks the third year of the event, and the online fundraising push brings in money for non-profit organizations and schools across the state.
The total raised on Thursday was $1,231,521 and the Humane Society of Utah had the most donors, bringing in $24,964 spread over 871 donors. Another animal group, Best Friends Animal Society, raised $19,445 from 826 donors, and the Salt Lake Arts Academy led schools in the event, bringing in $22,490 from 629 different donors.
The Museum of Contemporary Art had the most donors among medium-sized non-profit groups, as 421 donors gave $8,141 to the museum. However, the environmental group HEAL Utah raised more money in the same category, bringing in $16,718 courtesy of 331 donors.
Among small non-profit groups, the grassroots Shakespeare Company got 439 donations adding up to $5,064. The Utah Shakespeare Festival only received one donation, but the single gift of $50,000 meant they brought in more funds than anyone else.
Lauren Singer-Katz is the director of operations for the Community Foundation of Utah, and she said animal groups brought in a lot of money this year.
“Animals are up there, there's a lot of horse groups that made it in here this year,” she said. “....We really care about those best friends of ours.”
The Community Foundation of Utah is behind Love Utah, Give Utah and was excited to reach the benchmark of one million dollars donated in their third year.
The top five recipients in each category won additional cash prizes from the foundation. Their website has complete information on the non-profits and their fundraising totals, click here for details.
