HASTINGS, Neb. – The opportunity to give monetary donations to 113 Adams County non-profits and organizations is now underway.

Early giving for this year's Give Hastings Day event began on Wednesday. 

Now in its 12th year, Give Hastings Day has raised more than $6.5 million in donations towards 152 Adams County non-profits and organizations. 

The yearly event is organized by the Hastings Community Foundation, who joined KHAS Radio's 'Partyline' morning show Thursday to talk more about this yearly fundraiser, and why early giving is important.

"We would have people in our office that didn't want to miss Give Day, they didn't want to bring their check on the wrong day, or they're going to be gone on Give Day." said HCF Executive Director Dan Peters. "Early giving really provides an opportunity to give now, and be a part of Give Day without having to wait."

Peters said the 113 organizations participating in this year's Give Day is a new record high, and is up from 108 participants last year. 

While most of these organizations accept donations year-round, HCF Director of Foundation Services Heiden Brei says Give Day is about connecting these non-profits with the public.

"We work with these non-profits year-round, and they are doing this work every single day," said Brei. "For Give Hastings Day, it's bringing that community together, and raising awareness of what they're doing year-round, and it gives them a great platform to be able to not only inspire donors to give to them, but also to let the community know of the services they're providing to our community.

In 2024, Give Hastings Day set a new record in donations with just over $1 million for the first time ever. 

Early Giving is now open on the Give Hastings Day website.

The fundraiser will culminate on Thurs. May 1, with an all-day ceremony at the Lark in Hastings.