Washington County, OH – November 12th marks the beginning of National Community Foundation Week, but Marietta Community Foundation is starting their festivities early this year. On November 2nd, the Foundation is beginning its Annual Nonprofit Challenge, sponsored by Superior Toyota Hyundai.

The Nonprofit Challenge invites local nonprofit organizations, with Agency Funds at the Foundation, to compete for a chance to win prizes amounting to thousands of dollars. The contest usually takes place during, or through, National Community Foundation Week, November 12th – 18th, but due to COVID-19 the contest will look different in 2020.

“The Foundation and our local nonprofits look forward to this contest every year,” said Heather Allender, President & CEO of the Foundation. “We try to change the format to keep the event fun and engaging! Since we first began the Nonprofit Challenge, with support from our lead sponsor, Superior Toyota Hyundai, we have been able to give out more than $87,500 to our nonprofits through this contest!”

In years past, this event has taken many shapes including a downtown scavenger hunt. However, with COVID-19 regulations, the Foundation has modified the Nonprofit Challenge to fit the current social climate.

“This is one reason Superior Toyota Hyundai continues to sponsor this event each year,” said T.R. Hathaway, Owner of Superior Toyota Hyundai. “Marietta Community Foundation adapts this competition for the maximum benefit of our nonprofits who serve our community… they are kind of an ‘all-terrain vehicle’ in that way.”

This year’s Nonprofit Challenge will take the form of a toy drive. Competing nonprofits will collect newly purchased toys on November 2nd – 17th and will bring them to the Foundation’s office at 100 Putnam Street in downtown Marietta.

The Nonprofit Challenge will benefit the competing organizations who win the top-prizes, but it will also benefit 1,000 local children this holiday season.

“All of the newly purchased gifts we receive through this contest will be donated to The Salvation Army’s Angel Tree Program,” said Allender. “They have expanded to their program to serve 1,000 children this year and the toys we collect during our event will help them significantly!”

During Community Foundation Week, the Foundation will give a daily update on the nonprofits who are in the lead via their social media. These daily updates will culminate in a Facebook Live stream announcing the winners of the Nonprofit Challenge on November 18th at 12 p.m. at Superior Toyota Hyundai’s Parkersburg location.

“We are excited to see how the nonprofits strategize during this event,” said Mason Beuhring, Communications & Program Director at Marietta Community Foundation. “Will they try to shoot for the top-spot each day? Or, will they hold back and turn all of their toys on the last day of the contest in hopes of an upset?... Either way, this contest is going to do a lot of good in our community!”

Competing nonprofits include GoPacks, Marietta Family YMCA, The Right Path For Washington County, MOV’n Dragons, Ely chapman Education Foundation, Washington County 4-H, Marietta Band Boosters, Boys & Girls Club of Washington County, Building Bridges to Careers, The Betsey Mills Club, and O’Neill Senior Center.

Marietta Community Foundation works to improve Washington County through grants and initiatives, support your favorite local nonprofit and purchase a toy to increase their chances of winning top-prizes. please contact Heather Allender at 740-373-3286 or heather@mcfohio.org.