The Big Give is an event supporting central Victorian community groups. The Bendigo Advertiser will be profiling several of the registered campaigns each week until the initiative ends with a 24-hour giving day on September 1. 

Seventy central Victorian community groups, sporting clubs and not-for-profit organisations have joined a collaborative online fundraising initiative. 

Almost $20,000 has been donated to causes registered in the Big Give, central Victoria’s inaugural community giving event. 

Fundraising started on August 1 and culminates in a 24-hour Big Giving Day on September 1.

Community Foundation for Central Victoria executive officer Ann Lansberry said causes would compete for a share in a $31,000 prize pool. 

Campaigns with the most donors will be awarded a major prize – a share in $24,000 in cash. 

“That’s how you build a group’s capacity – by having a lot of supporters,” Ms Lansberry said. 

The City of Greater Bendigo has donated a major prize. 

“This initiative allows community groups of various sizes to pitch their projects to the community, which can then choose which projects they want to support,” Mayor Rod Fyffe said.

Telstra has contributed $4000 worth of devices to be awarded as lucky prizes. Beck Legal and Simonds Homes have each donated $1000 to be awarded during power hours. 

“In those, you can win $1000 for having the most donations in those specified hours,” Ms Lansberry said.

She said people who might need assistance to donate could pop into the Morley Johnson Building in Bendigo, where Radius staff would be available to guide them through the process during the day.

The Big Give is being run entirely online.

Some of the causes will host events to mark the Big Giving Day.

“We’ve changed our weekly game night from Wednesday to Thursday, to make sure we get as many people together as we can and have them donate to our new change-rooms,” said Mel Beams of Bendigo Blaze.

Mount Alexander Fruit Gardens co-owner Katie Finlay donated to Mount Alexander Sustainability Group’s campaign.

“Donating helps our community to do things, and it fosters the community spirit of giving,” she said.