More than 94,000 people donated a combined $74.9 million in support of thousands of local nonprofits during this year’s North Texas Giving Day drive.

The annual campaign drive ran through Thursday, Sept. 18, and covered a 20-county region around Dallas. Since its launch in 2009, the initiative coordinated by the Communities Foundation of Texas has raised over $710 million for North Texas nonprofits.

This year’s record total surpassed last year’s haul of just over $70 million.

During North Texas Giving Day, 100% of the tax-deductible donations go directly to nonprofits. “It’s pretty hard to find fundraising that’s effectively fee-free. This is it. This is a Super Bowl of giving” Wayne White, president and CEO of Communities Foundation of Texas, said in an interview with The Dallas Morning News.

This year, North Texas Giving Day donations matter more than ever, White said.

“This year is fairly unique in that we’ve seen a reduction in federal and state funding to nonprofits,” said White.

A recent survey conducted by Communities Foundation of Texas, the Dallas Foundation and the North Texas Community Foundation found that among the roughly 700 local nonprofits surveyed, 56% experienced funding decreases for a combined total of over $127 million.

Communities Foundation of Texas says this event is the largest community initiative, and the largest communitywide giving event in the nation. CFT divides organizations by size, small, medium and large based on their budgets.

Among the participating nonprofits is Our Friends Place, an organization that supports young women experiencing homelessness and abuse. The organization raised nearly $45,000 this year through North Texas Giving Day.

For President and CEO Helena Banks, the mission of North Texas Giving Day is personal.

“Because I had a village, I’m here. And so that’s why Our Friend’s Place is so important, because it could have been me,” said Banks. “North Texas Giving Day is a chance for our community to come together. and to show the young that they are not alone,” Banks added.

Read the full article about North Texas Giving Day by Mari Sato at The Dallas Morning News.