The Thoughtful Panda | DonationMatch


About the Nonprofit

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Nonprofit Category: B - Education
Exempt Status: 501(c)(3) (IRS Form 990 Filed)

we are a local non-profit 501(c)(3) organization created to help college students afford the extra expenses which loans, grants, and scholarships typically do not cover. We host a single annual fundraiser event, in early June, and raise funds predominantly through selling raffle tickets for 100+ raffle baskets, pit beef sales, and hassle free donations made during our event. In previous years, we've raised over $7,000 in just one event, allowing us to gift 3 scholarships annually, ranging from $1,500-2,000 per student.

My best friend, myself, and another friend started this non-profit a few years ago, went through the IRS approval process, were able to host 2 events, and then COVID got in the way of our annual event. My best friend, Birda, was the first in her family to go to college, after having a very non-traditional, adversity filled journey to obtaining even her high school education. After quite the journey to get there, she nearly turned down her seat in nursing school because the costs of books, scrubs and so much more were unaffordable. The local community rallied and pulled together around $3,000 to gift her to cover these costs so she had no choice but to accept her seat. She obtained her nursing degree, was among the top in her class, and began her career in Shock Trauma. Because of the support of the community, she wanted to pay it forward to other students who might face the same difficult decision.
 
We do not pay ourselves, any funds raised that aren't gifted in scholarships are used to cover the costs of our event, and taxes/other IRS fees. Since we haven't been able to host our event the last couple of years, we're hoping to make this year the biggest yet to provide a little more relief to a few students.

 


Events

Thoughtful Panda Fundraiser on June 10, 2023