CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. (CLARKSVILLENOW) –The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee is bringing back The Big Payback for its fifth year on Wednesday, May 2 for what is hoped to be the largest day of giving yet.

Nonprofits, including schools and religious institutions, are encouraged to register now to participate at TheBigPayback.org.

The Big Payback is a community-wide online giving day designed to give the public the opportunity to pay back the nonprofits that make this a place we are proud to call home. Starting at midnight on May 2, we all have 24 hours to make donations to our choice of participating local nonprofits at TheBigPayback.org.

In the first four events, The Big Payback has helped Middle Tennessee nonprofits raise more than $9.3 million, with gifts making possible awareness of and solutions to the pressing needs in our community.

“The Big Payback’s slogan is ‘Live Here. Give Here’ and provides an easy and fun way for our community to show our local pride and give back,” said Ellen Lehman, president of The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee.

“Nonprofits do life-changing work every day across Middle Tennessee, and it’s important we recognize the positive impact they have in our own backyards by supporting their efforts,” Lehman continued. “It’s hard to imagine where we’d be without them and their work.”

Gifts from the public will be boosted with additional grant prizes from sponsors of The Big Payback. Nonprofits once again will have the opportunity to earn for financial incentives, donations and additional prizes. An online leaderboard will track donations in real time.

Donors will be able to view and select from participating organizations based on location and focus area, such as animals, education, health, and the arts. Donors can support multiple organizations and make gifts of any size, from $10 and up.

There is no cost for nonprofits to participate.

Last year, a total of 20,695 gifts went to record 781 participating local nonprofits from 27 counties, with $2.598,701 total dollars raised.

The totals included 6,606 gifts made by first-time donors to an organization. Total giving including a $104.59 average gift, with gifts ranging from $10 to $15,500.

Organizations interested in participating in The Big Payback must register by March 28. Details can be found at TheBigPayback.org.