2026 Giving Challenge | caninecastaways

Wizard of Paws
There's no place like home

24 Hours of giving. April 15–16, 2026, noon-noon

For 24 hours, our community comes together to create something powerful. Not magic. Something even better - The Giving Challenge hosted by the Community Foundation of Sarasota. If you donate through our official Giving Challenge page by clicking here during the 24 hour event, donations are matched up to $100 by The Patterson Foundation.

✨ What Is the Giving Challenge?

The Giving Challenge is a 24-hour online giving event connecting nearly 700 nonprofit organizations with passionate donors across Sarasota, Manatee, Charlotte, and DeSoto counties.

Since 2012, it has generated more than $92 million in unrestricted funding for local nonprofits — helping organizations like Canine Castaways say “yes” when dogs need us most.

Unrestricted funding means we can use it where it’s needed most:

Emergency medical care.
Senior dogs.
Forever Fosters.
The ones no one else chooses.

For 24 hours only, every gift makes a bigger impact.

🚀 How YOU Help Us Maximize Impact

This isn’t just about giving. It’s about unlocking every possible dollar for the dogs.

Here’s how you can help:

💰 Have your donation up to $100 doubled by donating via our official Giving Challenge page (click here).
🏃 Be One of the First 50 Donors - We’ve won the Fast 50 prize every year. Let’s keep the streak alive.
⏰ Give During Special Prize Hours - Lucky 10. Diamond Hours. Random Drawings. Your timing could unlock extra funds.
📱 Engage on Social Media - Like. Comment. Share. Tag friends. Engagement helps us compete for Best Use of Social Media.
🖼 Vote for Our Photo after the Giving Challenge is over - Participation matters!
🌟 Start a Peer-to-Peer Fundraiser
- This is BIG. If just 10 supporters start a simple fundraising page and each invite 10 friends to give, we can raise thousands more — and qualify for additional $1,000–$3,000 prize opportunities. It’s easy. We’ll help you set it up. You don’t need to be an expert — just someone who cares. You can be the reason we unlock even more for the dogs.
💛 Become a Matching Sponsor
- We are currently seeking individuals and businesses interested in sponsoring matching hours during the Giving Challenge.
- Matching gifts:
  - Double donor impact
  - Increase urgency
  - Encourage participation
  - Provide recognition for your business
  - Interested in becoming a match sponsor? Let’s talk. Together, we can multiply hope.

💥There’s No Place Like Home

The Wizard of Paws campaign is about more than a theme. It’s about courage. Heart. Community. And finding homes.

For 24 hours, you can Be the One who:

Funds life-saving treatment
Supports foster care
Changes a life forever

Mark your calendar. Follow us. Watch for peer-to-peer sign-ups. And on April 15–16, step onto the Yellow Brick Road with us. Because there’s no place like home.

Be one of 250. Help us reach $50,000. It only takes one gift to change a life.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Giving Challenge?

The Giving Challenge is a 24-hour online giving event supporting hundreds of local nonprofits across Sarasota, Manatee, Charlotte, and DeSoto counties. Every gift made during the 24 hours supports participating nonprofits and may help unlock additional prize funds.

When does it happen?

April 15–16, 2026 from Noon until Noon (24 hours only!)

Will my donation be matched?

Yes, if you donate via our official Giving Challenge page (click here). The Patterson Foundation is matching donations up to $100 during the 24 hour event. Checks and Cash will NOT be matched but are accepted. Also, donations via any other website, including Facebook or Paypal, will NOT be matched.

Is there a minimum donation?

Yes. The minimum donation is $25 per unique donor.

Is there a maximum donation?

No — there is no maximum donation. During the Giving Challenge, donations are matched dollar-for-dollar up to $100 per unique donor by The Patterson Foundation. However, donors are absolutely welcome to give more than $100.

For example:

A $100 gift is fully matched.
A $250 gift receives a $100 match — and the additional $150 still goes directly to Canine Castaways.
A $500 gift receives a $100 match — and the remaining $400 still supports rescue dogs.

We encourage supporters to give at whatever level feels meaningful to them. Every dollar beyond the match still makes a lifesaving difference. Remember, your donation is ONLY matched when you donate through our official Giving Challenge page (click here).

What is peer-to-peer fundraising?

Peer-to-peer fundraising allows YOU to create your own personal fundraising page for Canine Castaways during the Giving Challenge.

When friends and family see someone they know personally supporting a cause, they are significantly more likely to give. People respond to people. Instead of hearing from an organization, they hear from YOU — someone they trust. You share why rescue matters to you, invite 10 friends to give, and help us reach new donors we might never reach on our own.

It’s simple. It’s powerful. And we’ll help you every step of the way.

Why does participation matter so much?

During the Giving Challenge, donations will be matched up to $100 and nonprofits can qualify for additional prizes based on:

Number of unique donors
Peer-to-peer participation
Social media engagement
Special timed drawings

That means your involvement doesn’t just support dogs — it can help unlock additional funds for them. Just remember to donate via our official Giving Challenge page (click here).

Can I give more than once?

Yes! However, prize eligibility is based on unique donors —

so inviting others to give makes an even bigger impact.