
Expanding the Foundation’s Reach

owever, a number of nonprofits lagged behind in their ability to pivot to online fundraising and thereby faced the threat of losing donors. Younger donors were especially primed for the shift to online fundraising. Once again, Centre Foundation proved to be an innovative organization, adapting to thrive in the digital age while bringing the power of giving to more community members.
The most significant innovation came in the form of Centre Gives, which has come to be known as the foundation’s signature event. Centre Gives raises millions of dollars each year from donors throughout Centre County and beyond for local nonprofits through the power of online giving.


“It had the potential to be very successful, but we didn’t have as much time to plan that first year,” Pringle said. “We kept learning and it kept growing, and now it’s gone beyond everyone’s expectations and far exceeded our initial goals.”
Centre Gives fully brought the foundation into the digital era. It leverages the power of social media to help organizations spread the word and engage in friendly competition for prizes that add to their fundraising totals. The event also serves as an introduction to the foundation for nonprofits and community members who might not otherwise be engaged with Centre Foundation.
Opening New Doors to Philanthropy
McQuillin “Quill” Murphy, who had served on a youth advisory council while in high school in his native Berks County, was at the forefront of the foundation’s youth expansion. When he and his brother Carver moved to State College to attend Penn State, they worked with the foundation to bring a similar program to Centre County.
“It’s important to have a diversity of experience and perspectives, and fundraising leaders have a responsibility to include young people and their opinions,” Murphy said. “You wouldn’t make decisions about other groups without bringing them to the table, so let’s treat young people the same way.”

Centre PACT has meant so much to me. I’m excited to see how the program will continue to grow.”
Hope Bodenschatz joined Centre PACT as a senior in high school and spent six years with the program before graduating from Penn State last spring and accepting a position as a research assistant at the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston.