A total of 1870 donors supported central Victoria’s inaugural online community crowdfunding initiative, the Big Give.

On Wednesday night, organisers and participants celebrated the initiative’s success and started planning for the next event.

The Big Give raised $83,183 for more than 70 community groups, sporting clubs and central Victorian organisations.

A $31,000 prize pool further boosted the amount flowing back into the community.

The event at the Old Church on the Hill included an evaluation of the experiences gained during this year’s Big Give, which culminated in a big giving day on September 1. 

Community Foundation for Central Victoria chief executive officer Ann Lansberry said the region’s Big Give was Australia’s first.