Causes registered on the website go live on August 1, meaning people can browse and donate. 

The Big Give culminates on September 1 with a 24-hour giving day, featuring $30,000 in prizes, including for the most donations received on the day. 

Community Foundation for Central Victoria executive officer Ann Lansberry said about 25 not-for-profit community groups had registered, and expected there were more to come.

“There is still time to register your project and be part of the campaign,” she said.

“If you have a project that needs funding and you think the wider community might like to support it, you should get on board.”

The City of Greater Bendigo announced on Tuesday it would contribute $25,000 to the Big Give, which will go towards prize money and support running costs. 

Ms Lansberry was grateful to council and Bendigo Stadium, which also provided $25,000, for their support. 

“Without these two… it wouldn’t be possible,” she said.

Mayor Rod Fyffe said the Big Give would help community groups become sustainable. 

“There are so many worthy community projects and only so many formal grant programs available, so this is a way to access funding from supportive community members,” he said.

“The Big Give also supports these groups to develop online and direct fundraising skills, including marketing their project to the wider community.”

Councillor Barry Lyons said the Big Give might also be a useful way for groups to raise contributions for larger projects.

Bendigo Tennis Association has created a Big Give campaign as part of its efforts to raise $250,000 for its Bendigo Tennis Complex Redevelopment Project.

Association executive officer Leon Retallick estimated the project would cost about $6 million

The state government has already pledged $2.4 million. The City of Greater Bendigo has committed $1 million, and Tennis Australia will provide $350,000. 

The association also has an application for $2 million in federal funding pending. 

“We looked at the Big Give and thought that could be an avenue where people could make a contribution towards the project,” Mr Retallick said.

Bendigo Tennis Association also has an Australian Sports Foundation fundraising appeal.

Bendigo is home to thousands of single parents, who occasionally need help to make ends meet. 

Sailors Gully women Samantha Lysaght knows how hard it can be because she is a single mum.

Just over a year ago she founded a group called Bendigo Surrounds Single Mothers in Need, or Mums 4 Mums, which has more than 1000 members. 

Ms Lysaght co-ordinates urgent donations of goods such as nappies, formula and toiletries for babies and parents in need, including single dads and struggling families.

The group also holds free pop-up shops for parents with non-urgent needs. 

“We are a completely non-funded group,” Ms Lysaght said.

Sourcing items for urgent donations can be time consuming, and sometimes costly. 

So Ms Lysaght has created a Big Give campaign to help fund supplies for the next four months.

The Mums 4 Mums campaign aims to raise $1000. 

The Big Give runs from August 1 to September 1.