The 24-hr online giving challenge led by The Community Foundation of Northwest Louisiana known as Give for Good kicks off at 12am tonight. Why should you care? It’s an opportunity for you to support causes such as as the Renzi Art & Education Center, Robinson Film Center, Tipitina’s Foundation, Volunteers for Youth Justice, and more. A lot more. Like, 156 nonprofits in the 14 parishes the Community Foundation of Northwest Louisiana serves-more. (You’ll probably learn about some you never knew we had!)

Holy Angels residents and supporters at last year's Give for Good cookout.
Holy Angels residents and supporters at last year’s Give for Good cookout.

“We have a really generous community in general,” said Jennifer Steadman, director of external relations for our local Foundation. “Our big philanthropists aren’t going to be here forever. We need a new generation of people to step up and fill the gap.”

A minimum donation of $10 can go a long way for a lot of our area’s nonprofits. Last year – the inaugural year for our community’s Give for Good – raised over $1.2 million in 4,000+ donations to 77 area nonprofits. Check out more of last year’s stats here.

“The $10 democratizes giving (anyone can participate, give back that day),” said Steadman. “You don’t have to be a millionaire.”

Check out the event listings, the leaderboard, and your bank account. There’s literally scientific evidence that giving makes you feel good, so in between margaritas tomorrow, consider #giveforgood2015.

Editor’s Top 7 Events for Give for Good 2015: 

  1. Cohab will hosting Cinco de Cohab to celebrate Cohab’s 5th anniversary and Give for Good Day. The celebration will take place in the Red River District under the Texas Street Bridge from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and will feature food trucks from La Michoacana, Lucky’s Poboys, Jester Catering and Fleur de Creme in addition to Red River District favorites.
  2. The Philadelphia Center and the MLK Health Center invite the public to visit Grill of the Dead and Ki Mexico, popping up for lunch next to Joseph Guin Salon (711 Texas St.) from 11:30am – 2:00pm.
  3. For Robinson Film Center‘s goal to build a 7th anniversary marquee for a beautiful downtown movie theater, Abby Singer’s Bistro (617 Texas St.) will serve $7 lunch specials from noon to 1 p.m.
  4. Robinson’s Rescue The Whole Enchihuahua will be from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Marilynn’s Place (4041 Fern Avenue). Guests are invited to bring their “perro” and join Robinson’s Rescue for a Fiesta, Dog Walk, and Costume Contest!
  5. PINTS FOR PAWS at Great Raft Brewing (1251 Dalzell St.) from 4-9 pm with live music, Ki Mexico catering and donation stations. Pets are welcome outside where they’ll have tents and tables. Go have a pint to support the animals of the Humane Society of Northwest Louisiana.
  6. Shreveport-Bossier Rescue Mission’s Birthday Fiesta will be hosted from 6:00-9:00 p.m. on the rooftop of the Remington Suites Hotel (220 Travis Street).
  7. Renzi Education and Art Center will be at Starbucks from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. Volunteers and Donation Stations will be available.

Photo: The Dubonauts played last year for the Volunteers for Youth Justice Give for Good event at Rhino Coffee.