OPINION

Here's why you should donate to the #BigPayback

Stefanie Murray
Nashville
The Big Payback

The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee will host its second annual Big Payback campaign on Tuesday. If there's one day a year when you dig deep to give back, make it this one.

The #BigPayback, as it's known on social media, is intended to be an incentivized, community-wide, 24-hour giving challenge. It starts at midnight on May 5.

The Tennessean partnered with the Foundation this year to share the stories for some of the most successful fund-raisers from the 2014 campaign. That included The Contributor, End Slavery Tennessee, and Nations Ministry.

Read 'em and just try to keep your wallet closed. I dare you.

The stories are endlessly inspiring. So, too, is simply perusing the list of more than 750 nonprofits participating in this year's Big Payback. You can see the full list on givingmatters.com; click on "Find" near the top and then "View all nonprofits."

There is literally something for everyone on this list. Everyone. From groups that raise awareness for autism, the arts, refugees, independent living, cystic fibrosis, literacy, domestic violence, humane societies ... the list is amazing.

I often remind our staff and readers that the mission of The Tennessean is to influence and impact a better quality of life in Middle Tennessee. That is what brings us to work every day. But when I look at this list of nonprofits, I'm struck by the people I can see standing behind each and every one of them, and how THEY truly influence and impact quality of life here in so many tangible and intangible ways.

Every one of these 750 nonprofits was started by someone, or some group, who had a passion to make Middle Tennessee a little better in their own way. Whether it was by launching a Yorkshire Terrier National Rescue organization, or starting a center to help people realize the dream of home ownership — there's a story, there's sheer will, there's love behind each one.

In her column on Friday, Ms. Cheap, aka Mary Hance, gave some tips on how to decide your own personal giving strategy. The biggest takeaway: Follow your own passions, and don't forget about the nonprofits after your donation this week. Get involved by giving some of your personal time, too.

I certainly plan to take her advice. And I hope you'll join me in giving back to our community by participating in The Big Payback!

Stefanie Murray is the vice president of news and executive editor of The Tennessean. Contact her at smurray@tennessean.com, 615-259-8022 and on Twitter @StefanieMurray.