Give To The Max Day Donations Will Help One Mpls. Nonprofit Give Back
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) – It's what many Minnesotans love to do, make charitable donations.
For the sixth year in a row, 'Give to the Max Day' is allowing us to give in a 24-hour online frenzy.
By 5 p.m. Thursday, Give to the Max said via their website almost $12 million had already been donated.
Last year, the website crashed at lunchtime because so many people went to their computers to donate to their favorite charity or non-profit.
Organizers say they've taken steps to make sure that doesn't happen again.
WCCO took a look at one of the many agencies that benefits from this day of giving.
Last year Minnesotans donated total of $17 million on Give to the Max Day.
It's looking like we are on pace to exceed that total this year.
Online donations can be made until midnight Thursday.
On Thursday, WCCO's Angela Davis I talked to the founder of a rather unique nonprofit in Minneapolis that connects the haves with the have-nots, and benefits from this day of giving.
Helping people with potential improve their lives, that's the focus of MicroGrants.
They write out $1,000 checks to people who are on the right track, but have hit a bump in the road.
Joe Selvaggio is a retired priest who started this nonprofit eight years ago.
"Sometimes you just need a little cash to buy some work attire, or a computer, or a car, or inventory if it is a small business, or advertising. Just some flexible cash to use," Selvaggio said.
He says they write out $10,000 worth of checks every Monday morning. They try to be quick to respond to requests.
Adrian Coulter is an entrepreneur who received one of those $1,000 grants.
His company, XL Feet in St. Paul, specializes in extra-large men's shoes with sizes all the way up to a 21.
He used the money to expand his inventory.
"The $1,000 allowed me to open an account with Florsheim. The previous year I'd done just shy of $6,000 in sales. And I went on in that same year that I got the MicroGrant to do just over a $100,000," Coulter said.
Shantae Holmes is the owner of a laundromat in Minneapolis called All Washed Up.
A check from MicroGrants enabled her to buy a commercial truck so that she could handle much larger pickups and deliveries.
"Who can't take the support of somebody that's holding no reals strings to you, but truly wants to see you make it or transition to another level," Holmes said.
MicroGrants has a donor who has agreed to match the donations they receive Thursday on Give to the Max Day, up to $50,000.
So, if you donate $50 dollars online, it becomes $100.
Many other agencies have donors who are matching gifts Thursday as well.