Besa, the Columbus nonprofit connecting people and businesses with local charities, turns five this year. On its anniversary, it’s celebrating a $2 million milestone in community impact by holding a fundraiser and launching a new campaign to create another $3 million in impact over the next three years.
Established on September 11, 2012, Besa offers a portal online, where individuals looking to volunteer can find citywide opportunities, businesses can oversee and broaden their philanthropic efforts, and charitable residents can make donations. Since its creation, Besa has rallied 15,000 volunteers, organized more than 1,000 volunteer projects and partnered with 50 local nonprofits.
“Besa’s success is a direct result of the generosity and kindness in our community,” said Matthew Goldstein, founder and executive director. “We aimed to build a bridge between people and need. I’m inspired and humbled by how passionately people are using it.”
In the next phase of its life, Besa will launch a $1 million capital campaign “to invest in technology and services that will ultimately generate an additional $3 million in impact by 2020. By perfecting its model of community engagement locally, Besa will be poised to expand its network nationwide.”
Besa is inviting the community to help celebrate its fifth anniversary. A fundraiser, hosted by Jeni Britton Bauer and Nina West, will take place at Strongwater, 401 W. Town St., at 6 p.m. on September 21. Tickets are $60 and can be found at givebesa.org.