Giving Hearts Day reaches $256 million total and four nonprofits exceed $1 million

Giving Hearts Day 2026 reported a preliminary $30.4 million raised for nearly 650 nonprofits, bringing the event's 18-year total to about $256 million, and four charities — New Life Center, YWCA Cass Clay, Farm Rescue and Great Plains Food Bank — each raised more than $1 million.

Giving Hearts Day 2026 was a 24-hour fundraising event for nonprofits in North Dakota and northwest Minnesota that ran into the early hours of Feb. 13. Dakota Medical Foundation reported a preliminary $30.4 million raised for nearly 650 participating nonprofits this year, and said the event's 18-year total reached about $256 million since 2008. Several organizations reported seven-figure totals, and some donors and local banks made targeted gifts to smaller food programs. Dakota Medical Foundation said it will publish official statistics after verifying all data. Key details: - Dakota Medical Foundation reported a preliminary $30.4 million raised for nearly 650 participating nonprofits in 2026. - The event's cumulative total since 2008 reached about $256 million, according to the foundation. - Four nonprofits reported more than $1 million: New Life Center (preliminary $1.275 million), YWCA Cass Clay, Farm Rescue (a record $1,203,599 from 723 donors across 39 states), and Great Plains Food Bank (over $1 million). - New Life Center noted that Operation Hope, an overnight low-barrier shelter opened three weeks earlier, is sheltering about 32 men per night. - Great Plains Food Bank said its Giving Hearts Day donations will support more than 2 million meals for children, and Gate City Bank gave $25,000 to Heart-n-Soul Community Café to fund about 2,000 meals. Summary: The reported totals mark a long-running community fundraising milestone and provided funds for shelters, food assistance and farm-relief programs. Official totals and final, verified figures will be released by Dakota Medical Foundation after data verification.