A big Hampton Roads fundraiser is back for its 13th year.
The Give Local 757, hosted by the Peninsula Community Foundation (PCF), takes place from midnight to midnight on May 5. This year’s event marks a historic milestone for the region, with a record-breaking 262 local nonprofits participating — shattering all previous records.
With more organizations seeking support than ever, early momentum suggests 2026 could be a landmark year for Give Local 757. Already, 30% of the participating organizations have collectively received over 1,000 donations totaling $145,000, a staggering surge compared to the $800 raised at this same point last year. This year’s effort is bolstered by the continued support of TowneBank, presenting sponsor, whose deep roots in the community help power the regional movement and the Hampton Roads Community Foundation who has supported this effort from its very beginning.
The Power of Proximity
The theme for this year’s campaign is inspired by a lesson shared by PCF CEO Adelia Thompson from her long tenure working with Paul Trible, former president of Christopher Newport University. Thompson recounts a story about Trible’s wife, Rosemary, who traveled across the world to meet Mother Teresa only to be told: “Go home and take care of what is right in front of you.”
“Mother Teresa’s wisdom is our roadmap for 2026,” said Thompson. “In a time of economic uncertainty, we don’t need to look to the horizon for a hero. We need to look at our own neighborhoods. When you give local, you are supporting the ‘businesses of the heart’ — the food banks, shelters and youth programs — that operate right in front of our faces on both sides of the water.”
Redefining the Impact of Giving
By supporting Give Local 757, donors are investing in three key pillars:
- Capacity: Providing the administrative “heavy lifting” so nonprofits can focus on their missions.
- Partnerships: Connecting donors directly to the causes that impact their local streets and schools.
- Financial Possibilities: Turning a gift as small as $5 into a $14 million cumulative legacy of impact for the 757.
“Last year, we raised $1.5 million, and we have consistently hit the million-dollar mark, “says Rob Shuford, Peninsula Chairman of TowneBank. “But our nonprofits deserve more. The early numbers we are seeing are historic; if everyone across the waters of Hampton Roads continues to come together like this, we are going to see a level of impact that completely redefines what is possible for our region.”
How to Participate
On May 5, residents and businesses across Hampton Roads are encouraged to visit GiveLocal757.org to browse the 262 participating organizations. The platform allows donors to search by cause, location or keyword, making it easy to support. For more information, to register as a donor or to view the live leaderboard during the event, please visit www.givelocal757.org.
