What is Long Beach Gives?
Long Beach Gives is a citywide, online fundraising campaign to raise awareness and inspire community giving for Long Beach nonprofits. The goal of Long Beach Gives is to inspire individuals and businesses in our community to support the exemplary work of nonprofits making a difference in Long Beach.
Last year, Long Beach Gives raised $2,120,279 million for 270 local nonprofit organizations. We invite you to explore the 16 causes represented by participating nonprofits in 2024 and plan to donate to or become a peer fundraiser on behalf of your favorite nonprofit organizations.
When is Long Beach Gives?
Long Beach Gives will return for its seventh year on September 18, 2025!
Who created Long Beach Gives?
Long Beach Gives was started as a graduate school project by Julie Meenan, the Executive Director of the Josephine S. Gumbiner Foundation (JSGF). With the support of the JSGF Board and in collaboration with The Nonprofit Partnership, a Steering Committee was formed in March 2018. These members included: Long Beach Community Foundation, Munzer Foundation, The California Endowment, and Arts Council for Long Beach. Along with the Josephine S. Gumbiner Foundation, these foundations supported this new online, citywide fundraising effort.
The Steering Committee continues to seek additional funding and sponsorship to grow the number of agencies that can participate, the number of new donors we can reach through promotional efforts, and the number of marketing training we provide for participating organizations.
Where is Long Beach Gives located?
While Long Beach Gives is an annual, online, fundraising campaign located at www.longbeachgives.org, our team of year-round champions for nonprofits and digital philanthropy is located right here in Long Beach, California!
Long Beach Gives is located at The Nonprofit Partnership at 4900 E. Conant Street, Long Beach, CA 90808.
How can I support or donate?
One of the primary goals of Long Beach Gives is to activate community members, business owners, and employees, along with local residents to support nonprofit organizations.
We invite you to explore the 16 causes represented by participating organizations, plan to donate to, or become a peer fundraiser on behalf of your favorite nonprofit organization. Businesses interested in sponsoring this community-wide event or arranging an employee matching effort on behalf of a company should contact info@longbeachgives.org.
How can I stay up-to-date with Long Beach Gives?
Follow Long Beach Gives on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
You can also subscribe to our mailing list. During the months leading up to Long Beach Gives Day, email communication will increase but we promise we will only send the most useful and exciting news about this year's giving day.
Participating organizations will be on a separate mailing list and communications will be filled with critical information regarding campaign updates, deadlines, and exciting opportunities and events promoting Long Beach Gives. Visit the Campaign Resources page* frequently as it will contain updates on a consistent basis with important marketing materials and toolkits. *This page is only available to participating nonprofits. Please contact your organization's Champion for the password.
How can my nonprofit participate in Long Beach Gives?
- Ensure your eligibility: 1) be a registered 501(c)3 tax exempt organization, or have a fiscal sponsor and be in good standing with the IRS; and 2) have current programming in Long Beach, or serving the Long Beach community.
- Apply: the application is open April 1 through May 31st at 11:59pm.
Do I have to apply to participate if I participated last year?
Yes.
All nonprofit organizations that participated in Long Beach Gives 2024 are automatically approved but we do require updated applications for 2025. You will also need to complete the registration process and finalize your organization's dashboard To-Do list before you will be visible on the website.
Are only Long Beach nonprofits eligible to participate?
No, but you must have a program site within the City limits of Long Beach and/or provide current services to the Long Beach community to be eligible for Long Beach Gives.
An example of a program site can include an administration office in Torrance that provides after-school services at several LBUSD locations. Another example is a domestic violence shelter located at an undisclosed address but is active in the Long Beach social services network and receives many referrals from the Long Beach area (please note the application does not ask for any identifying information of clients).
These scenarios are just to serve as examples of how organizations outside of Long Beach are eligible and not inclusive of ALL eligibility parameters. If you think there may be some confusion about your services to the Long Beach community, please contact us, so we can discuss your eligibility and/or how to best complete your application to reflect your services to the Long Beach community.
What is the nonprofit application process?
The application process is a short registration form, which asks for your organization's: EIN, budget, percentage of public funding, and agreement that you have a program site within the City limits of Long Beach and/or provide current services to Long Beach residents. And a To-Do list to finalize your organization's page. The To-Do list requires: a logo, banner image, about section, mission statement, email contact, website, service area, thank you page, and administrative lead contact.
How are the nonprofits selected to participate?
An independent selection panel will choose organizations that meet the minimum eligibility requirements and submit applications by the deadline. If you missed the application deadline, please contact us: info@longbeachgives.org.
What are the benefits of organizations participating?
Long Beach Gives is an exciting opportunity for nonprofits to leverage their fundraising efforts by capitalizing on the energy, publicity, and branding of a citywide campaign that encourages the community to give where they live, work and play. What sets Long Beach Gives apart from other giving days, is the level of support, training, and mentorship provided to participating nonprofits in building online philanthropy efforts and capacity. These skills focus on reaching new donors and increasing the number and amount of online donations. The benefits of participating in Long Beach Gives Day extend well beyond the 24-hour giving period. Join a citywide movement on this inspired day of giving for Long Beach nonprofits to raise unrestricted dollars to support their mission-critical services.
In conjunction with The Nonprofit Partnership, Long Beach Gives provides relevant training sessions, recorded webinars, social media mentorship, and shares useful resource materials that equip them with marketing and digital philanthropy tools and techniques that support their fundraising efforts throughout the year.
What training opportunities are available to participating organizations?
Participating nonprofits will learn fundraising techniques, tools, and tips that will be utilized during Long Beach Gives, and support your ongoing efforts year-round. Organizations gain skills such as leveraging social media; donor and board engagement and retention; fundraising and marketing methods; goal setting; and more!
Nonprofits will be provided with a marketing and branding toolkit to set you up for fundraising success such as a campaign guide with social media graphics, promotional templates, and a giving day work plan.
What are the costs of participating in Long Beach Gives?
There are no upfront costs for nonprofits to participate, however, for contributions made through the longbeachgives.org platform, there is a 6.5% fee. The fee includes platform, administrative, and credit card fees. Donors may choose to cover this fee during the checkout process, increasing their donation by 6.5% (60% of online donors usually cover the fees).
What kind of staff time does a successful campaign need?
We suggest that a successful Long Beach Gives campaign involves 25 to 80 hours of your agency's lead contact (Champion) over the months leading up to the campaign to make Long Beach Gives as successful as possible for your organization. Active participation by each organization benefits the entire campaign and is a factor in being selected in the future.
When will participating nonprofits receive the dollars raised from Long Beach Gives?
Nonprofits will receive all online donations within 30-45 days of the event.
How can I see who has donated?
Participating nonprofits will have access to their own Long Beach Gives dashboard for donation tracking information in real-time as well as the donor's contact information so you can thank your donors appropriately.
Does my nonprofit need to send a tax receipt for each donation we receive?
The Long Beach Gives fundraising platform sends an automatic confirmation of the donation transaction(s) via email once a donor gives. However, we do recommend you send a thank you note (see question below).
Does my organization need to send an additional thank you to our donors?
Yes! Long Beach Gives recommends you send a thank you note, which includes your tax identification number and the amount of the donation.
Last year, many donations came from donors making their first-ever gift to the organizations they supported. A heartfelt thank you can be a key strategy in turning a donor from a one-time Long Beach Gives supporter to a regular investor in your cause. Plus, thanking your donor this year and developing a relationship with them over the year may encourage them to set up their own peer fundraising page! Some donor-centered best practices include a short turnaround time, stories and statistics that demonstrate impact, and clarity on how their gift will be put to use. Thanking donors is also a great way to engage your board in fundraising with an evening of thank you calls or the opportunity to send hand-written notes to your Long Beach Gives supporters.
How can I donate to nonprofits through Long Beach Gives?
Long Beach Gives provides an easy-to-use platform for donors to search, support, and donate directly to their favorite nonprofit(s). Each nonprofit organization provides a summary of the designated program or area where your donation will be directed.
When can I start donating to participating nonprofits?
Early giving for Long Beach Gives typically begins the Thursday prior to the giving day and donations will be accepted through midnight of the giving day.
How can I sponsor Long Beach Gives?
One of the primary goals of Long Beach Gives is to activate community members, business owners, and employees, along with local residents to support nonprofits. Businesses and foundations can join the Long Beach Gives campaign through various opportunities such as sponsorships, setting up employee matching programs, or hosting virtual and creative events at your restaurant or business!
We are forever grateful to our founding sponsors who believed in the value and mission of Long Beach Gives in its first year including the Josephine S. Gumbiner Foundation, the Rudolph J., and Daphne A. Munzer Foundation, Crail-Johnson Foundation, and the Port of Long Beach. The community raised $2,071,589 for nonprofits serving Long Beach during the 2023 Long Beach Gives campaign.
Long Beach Gives is fiscally sponsored by The Nonprofit Partnership, a 501 (c) 3 nonprofit organization. Contact info@longbeachgives.org to see how you can become a sponsor for Long Beach Gives.
Why should I donate to Long Beach Gives?
Join a citywide movement on this inspired day of giving for Long Beach nonprofits to raise unrestricted dollars to support their mission-critical services. Donations will be increased through the use of agency-specific matching dollars and prizes from individuals, families, businesses, donors, and foundations throughout Long Beach.
One of the primary goals of Long Beach Gives is to activate community members, business owners, and employees, along with local residents to support various community-based organizations. Last year was the fourth annual Long Beach Gives and, since starting in 2019, more than $8.6 million has been contributed to local nonprofits.
Can I donate to more than one nonprofit?
Yes! Most donors give to more than one organization. Long Beach Gives has a shopping cart feature, allowing you to donate to multiple organizations in a single transaction. Just choose "View Additional Nonprofits" instead of "Checkout."
What method of payment can I use?
All major credit cards are accepted. An e-check (ACH) option, requiring you to enter your banking account information, is also available. Checks or cash contributions should be sent directly to the nonprofit of your choice. You can also use Apple or Google Pay.
Do donors receive a receipt for their donation?
Yes, Long Beach Gives will email all donors a receipt for their donation(s) within minutes of their transaction. Donors will also receive a follow-up acknowledgment from the selected nonprofit(s). Please contact the nonprofit directly regarding an acknowledgment of your donation.
What fees are on my contribution?
There are fees on contributions made through longbeachgives.org. During the donation process, you will be asked if you would like to cover this fee for your chosen nonprofit(s). If you select yes, the fee will be added to your total. Your entire contribution is tax-deductible, including the processing fee!
Can I use my employer's matching gifts program?
Yes, please ask your employer to send the donation directly to the nonprofit(s) you are supporting.
ATTN Employers: Please contact carrie@longbeachgives.org if you would like to partner with Long Beach Gives and set up an employee matching effort on behalf of your company.
Will the nonprofit receive my contact information?
The nonprofit will only receive your name, donation amount, email, and mailing address. If you would prefer your donation to be anonymous, check that box on the website donation form.
What if I do not want to make my donation online?
If possible, please contact the nonprofit(s) you selected to receive your donation prior to the annual giving day to make arrangements. We will still happily receive donations on the annual giving day, so please contact your nonprofit(s) of choice.
Can a donor make an early donation towards the Long Beach Gives fundraising goal?
Yes!
Early giving typically opens a week before the giving day and will last until Long Beach Gives day itself. To be notified when early giving opens, sign up for emails and indicate that you would like to learn more about donating to nonprofits in Long Beach.
Is there an effort to engage young donors?
Millennials, Xennials, and Gen Z volunteer and donate differently than their parent's generation. One of our campaign goals is to provide an actionable way for younger generations to build a relationship with a nonprofit that aligns with their sense of social consciousness.
Is there a minimum donation?
Yes, donations begin at $10.00.
What is Peer Fundraising?
Peer fundraisers are members of the community who raise funds on behalf of the causes they care about. They create custom fundraising pages on the Long Beach Gives website and share their personal fundraising appeal to their network of friends and family. Last year, these individuals, families, and groups of supporters helped to raise over $420,000 to lift up their neighbors and celebrate causes they believe in.
Long Beach Gives believes that when we all come together, anything is possible. With over a quarter of all online donations deriving from peer fundraising pages, this type of fundraising is more important than ever. We encourage you to involve your biggest believers like staff, advocates, activists, volunteers, board of directors, patrons, and clients. They are your greatest campaign supporters!
When can peers create Fundraisers?
You can start creating Fundraisers as soon as the Nonprofit is approved for Long Beach Gives 2025! We will provide instructions, live webinars, and pre-recorded training(s). Please subscribe to our mailing list if you would like to be notified about FREE training(s) on setting up Fundraisers.
Are there resources that I can share with my peer fundraisers to help with their campaign?
Yes!
We will provide several resources to help guide and inspire your peer fundraisers. They will be provided with their own live (and pre-recorded webinar) to help them set up their Fundraisers and support in promoting their nonprofit(s) of choice. We will also provide participating organizations with resources and tips on recruiting and setting up your peer fundraiser for success!