Alexandria Raises Record-Breaking $2.5 Million in One Day During Annual Spring2Action Effort

ALEXANDRIA, VA— In the face of adversity, more than 8,200 donors came together from across the country on April 28 to raise more than $2.5 million for the Alexandria community, during Spring2ACTion, Alexandria’s Giving Day.  This is the most money raised since the giving day’s inception.

As Alexandria’s Giving Day, Spring2ACTion represents the power of collective action and, perhaps this year more than ever, the spirit of resilience in the nonprofit community. The previous year brought with it innumerable challenges – many organizations struggled to bring in revenue while adapting to the emergent needs engendered by the pandemic.  Donations this year will stabilize and sustain the organizations that continue to provide critical programs and services.

When Spring2ACTion began in 2011, it raised $104,156 for 47 nonprofits. Since then, it has raised more than $15.5 million in funds and, this year alone, supported 156 organizations. Spring2ACTion is one of the most successful giving days throughout the entire country and focuses on strengthening the nonprofit community through fundraising.  The giving day included awarding $25,000 in prizes to the nonprofits raising the most dollars and most donors and dozens of donors provided $565,750 in matching grants and gifts.

Participating nonprofit organizations were as diverse and vibrant as the communities they serve. The causes included health and medicine, emergency financial assistance and housing, arts and music, youth education and PTAs, children and family services, animal welfare, and many more. The fundraising endeavors raised money for projects ranging from educational learning hubs to community singing programs and from refurbishing computers for low-income students to housing for families experiencing homelessness. Regardless of the cause, all of the funds raised from Spring2ACTion 2021 will contribute to strengthening a resilient and vibrant Alexandria.

“Spring2ACTion is a day when the will to do good connects with the power to do good,” stated Willow Darsie, a giving day Ambassador. April 28 was proof of the collective good that is generated when people from all over come together to support the community that buoyed them in the best of times and in the worst of times.

Top Prize Winners

In an effort to promote equity throughout Spring2ACTion, the prize system was restructured to include prizes categorized by organization operating budget – Small – under $100K, Medium – $100-$500K, and Large – $500K+. This provided an opportunity for more organizations to win prizes and compete with organizations similar in size.

Top prize winners included:

• Most Donors:  Alexandria Library Foundation (small), King Street Cats (medium), Alexandria Soccer Association (large)
• Most Dollars:  Alexandria Library Foundation (small), RunningBrooke (medium), and Casa Chirilagua (large)

  The majority of organizations met or exceeded their fundraising goals.  To see more winners, visit:  https://www.spring2action.org/prizes

  Businesses Giving Back 
  The local business community came together to support Alexandria nonprofit through events, promotions, discounts, and creating their own fundraising pages. The offers ranged from free workout classes with Barre3 Old Town Alexandria to free donuts to donors from Elizabeth’s Counter. A list of business promotions can be found here:   https://www.spring2action.org/info/events#business.

  Sixty-five businesses also opted to participate in the Business Fundraisers competition, advocating for several specific causes and for Spring2ACTion. Business Fundraisers encouraged their staff, customers, and stakeholders to get involved in the day and amplified the message of giving back to the community we love.

Spring2ACTion is presented by ACT for Alexandria. Sponsors include:  the City of Alexandria, Surviving Survivors Fund, Frantz Family Fund, The Patterson Group TTR | Sotheby’s International Realty, Virginia Tech Innovation Campus, Seward Group TTR | Sotheby’s International Realty, Burke & Herbert Bank, Guaranteed Rate, ESP Tea & Coffee, Betsey R. Rosenbaum and Jon H. Rosenbaum Fund, Eshom ‘n Wilhelm Fund, Giving Girls Fund, John Marshall Bank, KVS Title, Madigan | Schuler, Marks-Woods Construction Services, Sikich, Torpedo Factory Office Building, Verdence Capital Advisors, Comcast, and ACT Annual Partners including Alexandria Living Magazine, Alexandria Restaurant Partners, ALX Community, Colonial Parking, McEnearney Associates Realtors, and Reingold. Spring2ACTion is hosted on the Give Gab platform.

For a full list of all winners and sponsors, please visit: www.Spring2ACTion.org

 About ACT for Alexandria

Launched in 2004, ACT for Alexandria (ACT) is a community foundation that seeks to turn ideas into action and resources into results. For more information about ACT and how you can support the pressing needs of the nonprofit community in Alexandria, contact ACT at 703-739-7778 or visit www.actforalexandria.org.