Individual contributions from 45,000 donors raised more than $20.7 million for North Texas nonprofits May 5.

The impromptu giving day was organized by United Way of Metropolitan Dallas, Communities Foundation of Texas and the Dallas Cowboys, according to a news release. Dubbed North Texas Giving Tuesday Now, the philanthropic event was hosted on the North Texas Giving Day platform.

The event was held in conjunction with the nationwide #GivingTuesdayNow campaign. In order to follow Centers for Disease Control and Prevention social distancing guidelines, event organizers held virtual concerts and performances throughout the 18-hour giving window.

Though it is normally held in the fall, North Texas Giving Day organizers put on the special giving event in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.

“We continue to be blown away by this uniquely philanthropic and heartfelt community,” said Dave Scullin, president and CEO of Communities Foundation of Texas and founder of North Texas Giving Day. “Seeing the nearly 45,000 donors and volunteers come together at a distance for North Texas Giving Tuesday Now underscores our incredible local bond in support of each other through our critical nonprofit sector. ”


The top-gifted organization was the North Texas Food Bank at $1.76 million. The Methodist Health System Foundation was No. 2 at $421,308, and North Texas Cares was No. 3 at $346,851.

“In these uncertain and challenging times, the spirit of North Texas shines bright,” said Jennifer Sampson, United Way of Metropolitan Dallas president and CEO, in the release. “We are encouraged and inspired by the generosity of our community, but not surprised, because when you live and work alongside North Texans—people with great courage and great compassion—great things happen. The extraordinary results of this collaborative effort is another endorsement of what we already know: We’re better together.”

North Texas Giving Day’s next scheduled program is its annual event Sept. 17. More information can be found at www.northtexasgivingday.org.

See the breakdown below of the top-10 gifted organizations from the May 5 event.