How often do you have the chance to give a little and mean a lot?

On Tuesday, Aug. 18, that opportunity presents itself to members of Ann Arbor’s cultural community, when online donations made to seven Washtenaw County organizations will be matched by an additional 50 percent by the Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan (CFSEM), up to a maximum of $1 million.

More than 70 organizations throughout metro Detroit are eligible, including the seven Washtenaw County nonprofits. We’d love nothing more than for Washtenaw County to assert its commitment to arts and culture by bringing home a good chunk of the matching funds. And since this challenge campaign is conducted entirely online, some people are projecting that matching funds could be gone in less than three hours.

Eligible organizations, which are all members of the Cultural Alliance of Southeastern Michigan, include:

The Arts Alliance 

Leslie Science and Nature Center 

Performance Network 

Purple Rose Theatre Company 

University Musical Society 

Exhibit Museum of Natural History 

University of Michigan Museum of Art

CFSEM developed this imaginative and intriguing online challenge grant program in response to the current economic climate as a way of recognizing the importance that arts and cultural institutions have in enhancing the quality of life throughout the region. This innovative local stimulus program was designed to bolster badly needed operational funds. I can’t count the number of people who have told me that they’ve chosen to remain in this region because of the huge number of high-quality performing and visual arts activities this area has to offer.

All of us in the Washtenaw County cultural community know that we couldn’t possibly be as successful as we are without the people who live here, who attend our events and exhibitions, and who support us philanthropically when they can. We hope you’ll join us for this exciting program so that we can continue to provide the programs and services that mean so much to so many where we live.

I hope you’ll join me in making a donation to support at least one of the seven Washtenaw County arts organizations. Here’s how it works:

1. On Tuesday, Aug. 18 at 10 a.m., visit www.cfsem.org. All contributions must be made through this website to count for the matching funds. It should only take a couple of minutes to set up an account and get started. In fact, if you want to see the system before Tuesday, you can log on beginning Friday, Aug. 14 at 5 pm to check it out and set up your account.
2. Select the organization you wish to support. Each individual may contribute from $25-$10,000 for each organization on the list...so if you want to support all seven of the Washtenaw County institutions, you can do so!
3. The Community Foundation is the legal recipient of the contribution for tax purposes. They will then add the 50 percent match and award each organization a grant that reflects the contributions made directly to them plus the CFSEM match. You’ll still receive an acknowledgment from the organization you gave to.
4. Many are projecting that the matching funds could be exhausted in a matter of hours — in Columbus, Ohio, a smaller matching grant program lasted only 34 minutes! Matching funds will be awarded on a “first gift, first match” basis - so it’s a big bonus to be on the computer right at 10 a.m.
5. After you make your gift, give yourself a big pat on the back for helping to sustain part of what makes Ann Arbor a great place to live.

If you get to the website late and the matching funds have run out, don’t worry. The CFSEM will still accept contributions through Aug. 31 and will distribute them to the organizations. CFSEM is assuming all costs of running this program, so you can rest assured that every single dollar you contribute will end up with the organizations you care about.