Supporting Nonprofits Beyond Snowy Weather

As my weather app predicts nine to eleven more inches of snow in the metro area next week, Honey, the puppy next door, barks at the powdery snow drifting off my neighbor’s roof. She bounds towards the falling heap, which, just days ago, was only a thin dusting. Yet, all the individual flurries, the half-inches and half-hours of falling snow, which, on their own, would amount to very little, have, with time, consistency, and the conditions of our environment, grown to piles.

Much like flurries of snow, the individual actions of the nonprofits and schools that feed our families, house our neighbors, support our artistic endeavors, and protect our civil rights are small moments of community care that make up a deep blanket of support, enveloping our state in snowy seasons and beyond.

And, just like heavy snowfall, nonprofits & schools also need time, consistency, and the right conditions to continue doing their work. At a time when 53% of Minnesota nonprofits report decreases in philanthropic funding, 46% report decreases in government funding, and 35% report decreases in individual giving, the conditions surrounding nonprofits often feel bleak. Without consistent revenue streams, many nonprofits – particularly the 70% operating on budgets under $1 million – feel squeezed. In fact, in a recent GiveMN survey of nonprofits, we found that respondents are, on average, only 5 months away from financial distress. But, like icicles hanging from rooftops, these economic conditions are not permanent.  In fact, you have the power to change them by showing up for Minnesota nonprofits, just as you did during Give to the Max Day 2025.

During Give to the Max Day 2025, tens of thousands of donors from all 87 Minnesota counties rallied together to raise over $37 million for thousands of nonprofits that support our ecosystem. Minnesotans supported causes in every area – from making over 20,000 gifts to arts organizations to ensuring over 200 first-time participants found support during our annual giving holiday. This year’s GTMD was one of the most generous years in our giving day history. But just because Give to the Max Day is over doesn’t mean our generosity streak needs to end.

One day, all of the snow will melt. But, nonprofits? The necessary work of these organizations will remain. And your continued support makes all the difference.

Your gifts – whether they be monetary, volunteer hours, or tangible donations – make it possible for organizations like Urban Roots to pay their youth working towards leadership development,  for Sisters of the Order of Saint Benedict to upgrade their computers so they can continue archiving their history and documenting their legacy, and for so many more organizations to continue doing good work.

So, how can you keep supporting nonprofits beyond GTMD? Here are some ways to get started:

• Set up a monthly gift. Just like a Netflix subscription, you can set up a monthly donation to causes you care about. It’s easy to do – find a cause you want to support, select “Monthly Donation” and input the amount you’d like to give – and this kind of consistent support helps nonprofits plan for the future.
  
  
• Create a fundraiser for your favorite causes. Word of mouth plays a huge role in how, where, and when people decide to give. With a personalized fundraiser, you spread the word about causes you care about and get your friends and family involved in the joy of giving.
  
  
• Provide matching funds. Matching funds – where individuals or businesses match donations up to a certain amount – are a great way to maximize your impact and incentivize giving to causes you care about. Find a nonprofit cause you care about on GiveMN.org and connect with their team to start a matching fund.
  
  
• Support nonprofits in more ways than money. Volunteer opportunities and non-financial donations like clothes or food are great ways to show your support. Explore IRL and virtual volunteer opportunities here.

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