"The Big Give' is getting bigger, and San Antonio non profits are gearing up for the on-line contributions day, which occurs today, News Radio 1200 WOAI reports.
At a pep rally at the Oblate School of Theology, representatives of non profits ranging from the San Antonio Symphony to groups that rescue stray chihuahuas gathered for the event, which Scott McAnich of the Non Profit Council says has raised $15 million for more than 600 local non profits since 2014.
"The Non Profit Council likes to think of the sector as a highlight to our community and a support mechanism, and what that would be without the non profits," he said. "They do the work that governments can't and shouldn't do."
McAnich says The Big Give is set up so donors can sort among non-profits active in certain subjects, and in certain communities and neighborhoods. He says no matter what you're interested in, there's probably a non-profit doing it and you can help their efforts.
"We have Big Brothers, Big Sisters of South Texas, we have the Symphony, we have the Ballet, we have Diamond Dashsund Rescue..."
Many of the non profits are holding high profile events on March 22, some continuing into the coming weekend to fire up donors.
A "Leaderboard" has also been set up to register the donors and number of contributions which have come in ahead of today's official start of the Big Give. Tracy's Dogs is the early leader with 423 donors.
Other organizations with strong early donor bases include the Alamo Heights School Foundation, Sunshine Cottage School for Deaf Children, Blessed Sacrament Catholic School, Project BRAVE, and the Pride of San Antonio Show Band.