The initiative, Give Where You live 30, is the first annual event of its kind to raise awareness and money for 30 nonprofit organizations that serve Collier County residents.

The event is sponsored by the Community Foundation of Collier County and the Richard M. Schulze Family Foundation.

The Community Foundation of Collier County is a tax-exempt, public and charitable fund, established in 1985 to increase and focus private philanthropy within the county. The Foundation supports education and basic human services, helping grantees to make strategic contributions that achieve specific measurable outcomes.

The Community Foundation and the Schulze Family Foundation are partnering to offer a $300,000 matching fund. After the event ends, the Foundation will determine each nonprofit’s proportionate share of the match by dividing the total amount each charity raised by the total amount raised by all participating nonprofits.

New Horizons of Southwest Florida is one of the 30 nonprofit charities chosen from over 450 to participate in the 24-hour event. Here, students in Estero are given new book bags and school supplies.

“Our goal is to raise $200K,” said Debra Haley, Executive Director for New Horizons of SWFL.

New Horizons is dedicated to helping at-risk children and teens who are growing up in an environment of poverty, academic failure and hopelessness. When New Horizons began in 2002, there were only 20 children in the program.

Today, New Horizons reaches over 350 children and teens annually in Naples, Bonita Springs and Estero. New Horizons offers young mothers and toddlers a mentoring and English skills readiness program.

New Horizons offers students a multitude of services, including after-school tutoring.

Future plans for New Horizons include opening a fifth site in North Naples, enabling an additional 40 students to be enrolled in Super Kids Club.