‘Tis the season to give! No, it’s not Thanksgiving or the holiday season just yet, but North Texas Giving Day is the perfect opportunity for generosity benefiting causes in our community. 

North Texas Giving Day (NTGD), a 17-hour period devoted to making charitable donations to Dallas-Fort Worth nonprofits, is powered through a partnership between Communities Foundation of Texas and DonorBridge, an online resource that seeks to make the process of giving to nonprofits easier. DonorBridge does that by providing profiles of more than 1,000 area nonprofits so that you can find the organization and/or cause you’re most passionate about.

What's special about NTGD is that if you give more than $25, your donation may qualify for bonus funds, meaning your donation goes further than the amount you contribute. "Communities Foundation of Texas will enhance, on a pro-rated basis, the total of donations made during North Texas Giving Day," according to their site. You can read more about bonus funds here.

So, in preparation for Thursday, Sept. 19—the official day of giving in North Texas—you’re encouraged to peruse the list of nonprofits participating in North Texas Giving Day, including food pantries, churches, local education foundations, children’s hospitals, historical societies, women's health resource centers, theaters and musical organizations, libraries, animal awareness projects, substance abuse associations and more. I’d say the chances are slim to none that you won’t be able to find at least one organization with a cause you care about. 

In 2012, $14.4 million was raised for 929 area nonprofits, and they’re trying to break that record this year. According to Communities Foundation of Texas, the annual fundraising event has “pumped over $34 million into the local community" since 2009.

Even if you’re not in a position to give this year, you can still help celebrate North Texas Giving Day on Thursday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Communities Foundations of Texas. Performances by the Lone Star Wind Orchestra Tube-Euphonium Quartet, Shakespeare Dallas and the Junior Players will be among the entertainment, and the Dallas Zoo is bringing a penguin (now we’re talking!). There will be food trucks and plenty of other things to entertain you at the event, held at 5500 Caruth Haven Lane in Dallas. 

Here’s how you can donate to North Texas Giving Day:

Visit DonorBridgeTX.org beginning at 7 a.m. on Thursday, Sept. 19. At 7 a.m., you’ll be able to search for a nonprofit by typing in the organization name, or by category search. Your donations will be accepted as part of North Texas Giving Day for any of the participating nonprofits (see attachment below) from 7 a.m. to midnight on Sept. 19. 

Happy giving! And don't forget to spread the word and good will by sharing about NTGD on your social media accounts and with your email friends!