On May 6, Unity Foundation of La Porte County will join communities from northwest Indiana and across the country for a national day of local giving.

Give Local America marks the centennial anniversary of community foundations, inviting La Porte County residents to raise significant funds for causes right in their own backyard.

Unity will raise funds to directly benefit more than 30 local nonprofit causes. The 24-hour event will be completely online and the money raised will support a wide array of organizations.

Gifts on May 6 may also help a designated charity win a portion of the more than $100,000 in national and local prize funds, including $10,000 especially for La Porte County participants. Each individual donor gift increases an organization’s chances of winning these cash prizes, potentially making their donation go even further.

Give Local America is expected to be the largest online fundraising event in history. In addition to Unity Foundation, other participating local foundations include Porter County Community Foundation, Legacy Foundation in Lake County, and the Crown Point Community Foundation.

Everyone can be a philanthropist.

“Give Local America is a big, bold opportunity for our community. We’re encouraging everyone to be a philanthropist by getting behind this effort.  Large and small gifts will combine for a really big impact,” said Unity President Maggi Spartz.

Here are two simple ways to help La Porte County on May 6:

Spread the word – We’re on Facebook. “Like” us at Unity Foundation of La Porte County and connect to Give Local America and the foundation on Twitter @ #givelocalamerica.

Make a gift – Give online at lpcountygiveday.org using your credit card between midnight and 11:59 p.m.

Contact Unity Foundation for more information at (219) 879-0327, or visit www.lpcountygiveday.org for the list of participating nonprofit organizations.

The Give Local event marks the 100th anniversary of community foundations in America. In 1914, the first community foundation was founded in Cleveland. Today there are more than 700 community foundations across America and more than 1,400 in the world.

Unity Foundation of La Porte County was established in 1992 and today offers more than 275 donor and nonprofit funds to support good work in the community. In 2013 alone, the foundation awarded nearly $1 million in grants to the community.

For more information about Unity Foundation’s good work in La Porte County, click here.