HANCOCK COUNTY — Two nonprofits with county connections made it to the second round of a March Madness-style fundraising competition.
Families United for Support and Encouragement, a county nonprofit dedicated to providing information, resources and support to families and individuals with disabilities or mental health needs, and Agape Therapeutic Riding Resources, which recently took over the horses and facilities of Edelweiss Equine-Assisted Therapy Center, each made it past the first round of competition in Brackets for Good.
Brackets for Good is a competitive March Madness-style event pitting nonprofits against one other in a contest to see who can raise the most by the championship round, April 3 to 6. Nonprofit leaders said the event, which raised some $700,000 for 100-plus organizations last year, not only bolsters their fundraising efforts but provides an opportunity for greater exposure than a small nonprofit would be able to achieve on its own.
And the final winner gets a $10,000 top prize.
Each round lasts seven days, said FUSE executive director Denise Arland — a short time to get the word out about the organization’s work and raise more money than their competitors, she said.
FUSE was first up against Grace Care Center Foundation and now faces off against Neurohope of Indiana, a nonprofit that helps make rehab more affordable for people recovering from neurological injuries like strokes, brain injuries or spinal cord injuries, according to the Brackets for Good website.
Agape, which recently announced its Agape East location will begin classes April 30, battled the Indianapolis Chamber Orchestra in the first round and now competes against Susie’s Place Child Advocacy, which operates three Indiana centers for the investigation of allegations of crimes against children.
Shares Inc. fell in the first round of the statewide Brackets for Good competition to the Rush County Community Foundation. Shares, which has six locations throughout the state, including its Brandywine site in Greenfield, employs individuals in its facilities and coordinating employment at businesses throughout the community and teaches courses on living skills like cooking and cleaning and provides some continuing education in reading and math, officials said.
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To vote ($1 equals one point), visit indianapolis.bfg.org/bracket.
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