Promotional image from The Urbanite production of

The full economic impact of COVID-19 remains unknown. Schools in Florida will still be closes and classes taught remote through April. But The Giving Challenge will go on as scheduled. Indeed, organizers say the annual philanthropic event may be more important than ever.

“We are so pleased this virtual opportunity to raise unrestricted funds for our Giving Partner nonprofits,” said Roxie Jerse, President and CEO for the Community Foundation of Sarasota County.

Mischa Kirby, vice president of strategic communication for the Foundation, said the nature of dollars raised could be critical right now. Being unrestricted, as opposed to many endowments created through wills or efforts led by philanthropists with specific desires in mind, the 700-plus participating charities can spend money raised in The Giving Challenge however executives there choose.

“It gives the flexibility to be able to take those funds and respond to community needs, especially since those needs are evolving and changing,” Kirby said.

Nearly a month out from the event, set to start at noon on April 28 and continues to noon April 29, organizations have already started organizing and building marketing campaigns around the event. The Florida Center for Early Childhood has already promised to fund mental health counseling and developmental therapy to aid the wake of a pandemic. SarasSolo has started promoting the challenge through its YouTube channel.

The Urbanite Theatre, meanwhile, made note how cancellations of mass gatherings has confronted the venue with $50,000 in ticketing revenue losses “with little clarity on when we’ll be able to start operations again.” Notably, the nonprofit raised $55,000 in the 2018 Giving Challenge, so this event coule literally make up the hardship felt directly from the public health crisis. “The 2020 Giving Challenge could be the single most important reason we're able to stay afloat,” reads a mailer from The Urbanites.

Promotional image from The Urbanite production of