Anonymous Donor Gives $20,000 Challenge Grant to TC Foundation to Encourage Resident Participation in East Texas Giving Day on April 30

East Texas Giving Day is an 18-hour day of online giving that provides critical funding for area nonprofits. This year, along with over a dozen other nonprofits from our region, Texarkana College Foundation is participating in the unique online event. The initiative, organized by East Texas Communities Foundation (ETCF), is set for Tuesday, April 30, 2019, from 6 a.m. to midnight, when citizens are encouraged to visit EastTexasGivingDay.org and make donations to charities of their choice. TC Foundation director Katie Andrus said an anonymous donor has presented a challenge grant to the Foundation to encourage area residents to match funds for the foundation up to $20,000 during the online event.

“East Texas Giving Day provides an easy and convenient way to donate to nonprofits that benefit our region,” Andrus said. “On that day, you can choose to donate to TC Foundation as well as other charities of your choice. The money given to TC Foundation will go toward scholarships for students to attend Texarkana College. Our goal is to raise at least $20,000 from donated funds to meet the challenge from our anonymous donor, resulting in at least $40,000 going toward scholarship funds. This is an amazing opportunity for our community to rally in support of not only the TC Foundation, but our entire community.”

You may begin prescheduling your East Texas Giving Day gifts as early as April 15.

To participate in East Texas Giving Day, a nonprofit must be located in, or primarily serve, one of the 32 counties in East Texas Communities Foundation’s (ETCF) service area. The 32 counties served by ETCF include: Anderson, Angelina, Bowie, Camp, Cass, Cherokee, Delta, Franklin, Freestone, Gregg, Harrison, Henderson, Hopkins, Houston, Lamar, Leon, Marion, Morris, Nacogdoches, Panola, Rains, Red River, Rusk, Sabine, San Augustine, Shelby, Smith, Titus, Trinity, Upshur, Van Zandt and Wood. Gifts made during the event are tax deductible and donors will receive an immediate tax receipt via email at the conclusion of the donation process. Credit card, debit card and e-check donations will be accepted online at www.EastTexasGivingDay.org. The minimum donation amount is $10 and there is no maximum donation.

To make a donation, follow these easy steps:

Starting at 6:00 a.m. on April 30th, go to www.easttexasgivingday.org and search for the name of the organization you would like to support. You will have a full 18 hours to make a donation and will have the ability to search for nonprofits by name, county, city or type of charity.  Participating nonprofits will have a profile page on www.easttexasgivingday.org where you can learn more about the charity and initiate a donation. Donations can be made to single or multiple organizations with the ability to donate in a single transaction. When ready, use a credit or debit card to donate to your nonprofit(s) of choice. Only the nonprofits registered on www.EastTexasGivingDay.org may receive donations during this event.

Andrus said a donation to TC Foundation is literally an investment in a student’s future.

“Most TC students come from economically disadvantaged backgrounds, and the opportunity to attend college is financially out of reach for them,” said Andrus. “Working together with the ETCF and with donors from across our region, we can provide future generations with the knowledge and skills that help them succeed and that keep our community vibrant and strong. I urge you to consider participating in East Texas Giving Day to help more students have a chance at a brighter future.”

Since 2008, the TC Foundation has awarded scholarships to more than 2,000 students. More than half of the students attending TC are the first in their family to go to college.

“Scholarships help TC students go to college, complete their degree or workforce certificate, and contribute to the quality of life of their families and to the entire community,” said Andrus. “I am truly amazed at the testimonies of our students who are dedicated to working hard and earning their degrees despite the many obstacles they have to overcome. On April 30, we can all do our part to make it a little easier for these students who are working against all odds to achieve their dreams.”

The TC Foundation offers many ways for donors to provide financial assistance year-round to TC students including endowments and planned giving opportunities. To find out more about the TC Foundation and Texarkana College, please go to www.texarkanacollege.edu/foundation  or call Katie Andrus at 903-823-3125.