The Chautauqua Region and Northern Chautauqua community foundations collaborated for the fifth year of Give Big CHQ.

“We had over 100 nonprofits participate this year,” said Tory Irgang, executive director of the Chautauqua Region Community Foundation. “We have different nonprofits that participate each year. We’ve probably had 150 different nonprofits take part over the five-year period that we’ve done this.”

Irgang added that the nonprofits come from all over the county and can be large or small, and from many different backgrounds, including the environment, animal welfare or the arts.

This year, just under $350,000 was raised overall between all of the nonprofits. Over the five-year span, the community has helped provide just under $1.4 million.

Give Big CHQ is a 24-hour online giving day for nonprofits in Chautauqua County, cosponsored by the community foundations. Nonprofits set up their own fundraiser pages for the day, including on social media, and implement different kinds of fundraising strategies, including matching gifts and special incentives.

More than 100 nonprofits participated this year, held on June 9. Another incentive was the 716 stretch pool, which was a friendly competition to see which organizations could get the most donors between 7:16 a.m. and 7:16 p.m., allowing organizations a share of bonus prize money.

Besides the money, Give Big CHQ allows for collaboration and bringing people together.

See GIVE, Page A3

“I’m thrilled that we have this opportunity to collaborate and provide this opportunity for nonprofits in the county,” said Leslie Wille, community engagement coordinator for the Northern Chautauqua Community Foundation.

Overall, Irgang said what she loved the most about the event is that it brings the community together.

“Part of what I love is that it is a celebration of the towns, communities and the overall Chautauqua County,” Irgang said. “We always get multiple donors from all over. If someone donates to one they might see another on the website that they want to donate to, and then donate there as well. It’s not a competition. It’s always friendly and lively. Once again it was a big success this year, and it is a way to bring people together.”