What if organizations in every part of Idaho came together to raise money ... with individual donors giving directly to individual nonprofits ... online ... IN ONE DAY?

On Thursday, May 2, people in our community and all across Idaho will have the opportunity to make a huge difference with a simple gesture. IDAHO GIVES, sponsored by the Idaho Nonprofit Center, is a one-day, online charitable giving event designed to raise $500,000 for participating nonprofit organizations in a 24-hour period! $50,000 in corporate matching gifts will also be available, with awards given throughout the day.

This online giving campaign is a way to focus people's attention on the important work that nonprofits do in our communities and inspire people to enable that work through their generous donations. IDAHO GIVES is working to create a stronger nonprofit network for Idaho by casting a spotlight on nonprofits all across the state during a single, 24-hour period.

"This day is a unique celebration of the important role that our many nonprofits play in our communities," said Lynn Hoffmann, executive director of the Idaho Nonprofit Center. "By focusing the public's attention on the great work our nonprofits do, we hope to spur people into action on May 2, allowing them to pick their favorite charity, learn about other charities, and make a donation through the Idaho Gives website."

IDAHO GIVES is modeled after highly successful philanthropic giving days in various states and cities across the country. In larger states, millions of dollars have been raised in a single day. The public will be engaged in communities throughout the state using a combination of traditional and new media. Social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter are critical tools in getting people, even those who don't regularly contribute to nonprofits, to quickly and easily make a donation to their favorite organization(s).

The event takes place online on May 2 from 12:01 a.m. until 11:59 p.m. It is driven by a central (idahogives.org) website, where donors can learn about and designate funds ($10 and up) for nonprofits in a number of categories, including arts and culture, children and youth, environment, humanitarian aid, education, animals, and religious organizations.

Fifty-seven nonprofit organizations have registered to participate in the North Idaho region. Each has a special page on the IDAHO GIVES website (idahogives.org) which tells about its purpose and activities with accompanying photos and videos. Of course, the event will only be successful if we can get lots of people to take five minutes to go online that day and make a gift of at least $10 to their favorite nonprofits.

Here's how to do it:

1. Save the date: May 2!

2. On May 2, find a computer with Internet access (if you don't have one, the Cd'A library will have laptop stations set up for participants - plus free food in the Community Room.

3. Go online to: www.idahogives.org

4. Search for your favorite nonprofits by name or category

5. Make an electronic donation of $10 or more.

The better we do on May 2, the more likely we are to have those donations amplified with the additional prize money. Giving a little helps our nonprofit sector a lot!

We know the spirit of generosity abounds in north Idaho, so we hope you will join folks around the state on this one day of online giving. It makes an enormous difference in the quality of life in our community. IDAHO GIVES!

Ruth Pratt, Ph.D., is executive director of the Coeur d'Alene Public Library Foundation and a board member of the Idaho Nonprofit Center.