BY BTL STAFF
Brackets For Good's online tournament launches in Ann Arbor Feb. 26.
Indianapolis-based Brackets For Good pairs with corporate and nonprofit sponsors to host online, bracket-style fundraising tournaments in philanthropic communities around the United States each March. Brackets For Good has helped raise more than $1.3 million for local charities since its 2012 kick-off contest in Indianapolis. Participating nonprofit organizations compete to out-fundraise their opponents, earn increased exposure and have a chance to win $10,000 from generous corporate sponsors. Nonprofits keep 100 percent of donations received during tournament play no matter how many rounds they last.
After expanding from the Indianapolis area to the Louisville, Kentucky area in 2015, Brackets For Good announced Feb. 12 the addition of three new markets and their surrounding areas in 2016: Minneapolis, Ann Arbor and St. Louis. A pep rally ahead of the launch of the online tournament will kick off the excitement and announce pairings for round one.
The tournament runs from Feb. 26-April 1, and can be access by going to annarbor.bfg.org.
Starting Feb. 26, LGBT people and their allies are invited to donate online to help their favorite nonprofit organization advance in Brackets For Good and get one step closer to $10,000. These donations can be made by visiting annarbor.bfg.org. One point comes from $1.
Title sponsor for the 2016 Ann Arbor Tournament is Valeo Financial Advisors; division sponsors are Zingerman's Community of Businesses and philanthropic community, Ann Arbor Area Community Foundation, United Way of Washtenaw County and James A. & Faith Knight Foundation.
Beyond raising dollars for nonprofits, Brackets For Good has brokered partnerships with other associations to help participating nonprofits beyond the tournament itself. The IUPUI School of Public and Environmental Affairs (SPEA) in Indianapolis will provide participating nonprofits with expertise in the area of program and organizational evaluation. Top-rated donor management software DonorPerfect's involvement in the tournament will allow participating nonprofits to cultivate donor relationships while saving administrative hours.
Who Should I Donate To?
A variety of LGBT and LGBT-friendly nonprofits are competing in the event. A few organizations to consider donating to include:
– Ann Arbor Civic Theatre
– Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra
– Neutral Zone
– Arbor Opera Theater
– The Arts Alliance, Inc.
– Kerrytown Concert House
– Wild Swan Theater
– Riverside Arts Center
– Ann Arbor Art Center
– Ozone House
– The Brass Tacks Ensemble
– The Women's Center of Southeastern Michigan
– The Corner Health Center
– Jewish Family Services of Washtenaw County
– Unified – HIV Health and Beyond
And many more. For a full list of which nonprofits are featured regularly in BTL, visit https://www.pridesource.com/directory.html.
