Make Big Day of Giving Grants

Between April 23 and 11:59 p.m. on May 7, schedule grants from your Donor Advised Fund or Business Fund to nonprofits that are participating in Big Day of Giving using one of the methods below. Interested in giving through your IRA? Head to our Frequently Asked Questions.

Questions? Look below for answers to common inquiries. Please contact us if we can answer any questions about Big Day of Giving or supporting participating nonprofits through your Donor Advised Fund, Business Fund, or your IRA.

What is Big Day of Giving?

A program we’ve run since 2013, Big Day of Giving is an annual 24-hour giving event that unites caring people to raise funds for the nonprofits that strengthen El Dorado, Placer, Sacramento, and Yolo counties. The next Big Day of Giving is Thursday, May 7, 2026, with early giving opening April 23.

Big Day of Giving is a day-long celebration of giving to the causes that matter to you and your loved ones. All participating organizations have profiles on GivingEdge, our year-round database of local nonprofits, which make it easy for you to support causes you love and discover new nonprofits to support, too. Since our region’s first giving day in 2013, more than 60,000 donors have helped hundreds of local nonprofits raise $117 million through the effort!

Why should I give through my Donor Advised Fund or Business Fund?

These unrestricted grants avoid credit card and transaction fees, so 100% of your donations support the nonprofits you designate and help reach their fundraising goals during Big Day of Giving! Grants directed to nonprofits during Big Day of Giving are unrestricted.

In addition to giving through your Donor Advised Fund or Business Fund, you might also consider making a tax-free Qualified Charitable Distribution from your IRA for this year’s Big Day of Giving. And as always, if you prefer to donate by credit card, you can visit bigdayofgiving.org between April 23 and 11:59 p.m. on May 7 to give.

How do I give through my IRA for Big Day of Giving?

In addition to giving through your Donor Advised Fund or Business Fund, many of our fundholders can make a tax-free Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCDs) from their IRA to support nonprofits in Big Day of Giving. As the administrator of Big Day of Giving, we can help you avoid the hassle of working with your IRA provider to cut and disburse many checks to your favorite causes. If you’d like details, please contact the Philanthropy Team.

Will the nonprofits I support receive my contact information?

To give anonymously to local nonprofits during Big Day of Giving, please direct your grants through the donor portal or by contacting the Philanthropy Team.

Kelly Siefkin, CFRE

Kelly Siefkin, CFRE

Chief Philanthropy Officer
Chelsea Fahr, CFRE

Chelsea Fahr, CFRE

Senior Director of Philanthropy