People will be able to fund student college grants, tree planting, or a commissioned musical work.
NEWARK -- As part of Newark's 350th birthday celebration, organizers hope that a one-day-only, 24-hour giving spree will help them leave a legacy for future generations of Newarkers.
On May 3, organizers seek to raise $350,000 -- a nod to the 350th anniversary of the city's founding -- in online contributions, for several projects to improve the city.
Ras Baraka at the kickoff to the yearlong Newark Celebration 350. (Courtesy NC350) The website, on which people will be able to make donations from 12 a.m. to 11:59 p.m., is www.newark350gives.org.
According to the website, options for "legacy" projects donations will include:
- Repairing and restoring Mount Rushmore sculptor Gutzon Borglum's 1916 Landing Monument (which currently is under a tarp in city garage),
- Planting 350 trees in Newark,
- Establishing a Newark student college success fund offering "mini grants" to students,
- Commissioning jazz artist Stefon Harris to compose a musical work in honor of Newark's 350th anniversary (to be performed with the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra at a Newark Celebration 350 event in fall 2016),
- Or a general donation that the Newark Celebration 350 committee will use for general funding, an insufficiently funded project, or a new project.
How Newarkers are celebrating city's 350th birthday
May 3 is also the day that nonprofit organizations and community foundations across the country are taking part in "Give Local America" day - a "24-hour nationwide crowdfunding event that provides a platform to invest in and support the work of local nonprofit organizations," organizers said in a press release.
This will be Newark's first "Giving Day," they said.
"It is our hope that the city's first giving day will also create a sustainable culture of crowdfunded philanthropy that will last beyond this celebratory year of Newark's 350th anniversary as one of America's great cities. Newark deserves our wholehearted support this year and in the future," said Director Emerita of the Newark Museum Mary Sue Sweeney Price, the legacy gift committee chair.
Newark Celebration 350, or NC 350, is offering more than 150 programs throughout the year, organizers said.
Laura Herzog may be reached at lherzog@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @LauraHerzogL. Find NJ.com on Facebook.