Kitsap Great Give: An Easy Way to Give Back

Whether you are new to donating to the nonprofit world, or you are a seasoned giver, Kitsap Great Give is a phenomenal event. This year, it’s on April 19th, but early giving has already begun. Kitsap Great Give supports a multitude of local organizations, making it easy to donate to more than one nonprofit at a time through a streamlined process. On the website, you can search by name, category, or scroll through a list of nonprofits on the leaderboard, which can be sorted alphabetically, by the number of donations, or by the total raised.

What is the history of Kitsap Great Give?

The event began in 2014 and has raised over $12,000,00 since its inception. In 2021, $2.19M was raised for 357 charities. As a community event, Kitsap Great Give is much larger than any one nonprofit. According to Kitsap Great Give’s website, more than 40% of donors make donations for this event in addition to their regular giving – increasing the amount that the organizations receive. 

Who runs this event?

Kitsap Community Foundation is the annual host and United Way of Kitsap County is a presenting partner. These two organizations are vital to the operations of the giving event. Additionally, they help behind the scenes by covering the costs of fees associated with donations. Other sponsors provide much-needed support by underwriting fees, providing bonus support, and awarding prizes to the organizations involved.

What types of organizations benefit?

From food banks to museums, animal shelters to educational nonprofits, the types of participating organizations vary greatly. They do not have to pay a fee to participate but must register in advance to be part of the event. It really helps the 350+ organizations who chose to participate annually.

So many organizations serve Kitsap County by meeting residents’ needs and enriching our community in many ways. Here’s a list of 2022 participants (PDF). 

When can I give and is there a minimum amount?

The big Kitsap Great Give day is on Tuesday, April 19, 2022. However, donations for “early giving” started on April 1st (no joke!) and run through April 18th. This year’s goal for giving is $2.2 million. The minimum payment amount is $10, and every little bit counts!

How can I submit payment?

The easiest way to pay is through the online platform. However, donations can be made over the phone by calling the Kitsap Community Foundation at (360) 698-3622. Direct mailers and special publications allow mail-in payments. 

Is my donation tax-deductible?

Yes! You will receive an email confirming your donation. This is a receipt to keep for tax purposes with a list of organizations and amounts to each.

Graphic created by Kitsap Foundation. See PDF.

Last year at a glance

Here’s a breakdown of giving by category for 2021.

Chart created by Kitsap Foundation. See PDF.

Windermere Poulsbo’s involvement

A portion of every Windermere real estate agent’s commission is donated to the Windermere Foundation. This year, through Windermere Foundation of Poulsbo, we are gifting $25,000 in matching dollars to support three local nonprofits for Kitsap Great Give. $10,000 will go to the Holly Ridge Center, which works to “enable children and adults with differing abilities to reach their fullest potential, creating a positive and lasting impact on the community”. Another $10,000 will go to the Foundation for Homeless & Poverty Management, and their mission is to help “people living in poverty and surviving homelessness to rebuild and stabilize their lives and the lives of their families so they can thrive and not just survive”. And, $5,000 will go to Fishline Foodbank and Comprehensive Services, which serves the North Kitsap Community, “providing food, emergency services, and resources to transform lives”. 

In addition to Kitsap Great Give, our Windermere Poulsbo office is involved in the communities we serve in a variety of ways. We proudly support many different local nonprofits through group and individual donations, and through volunteer work.

There are so many wonderful nonprofits to support through Kitsap Great Give, and we hope you’ll give if you’re able to and help us spread the word.