Greensburg, In. — Main Street Greensburg has been selected as one of 64 nonprofit organizations to compete in the Indiana 2018 Brackets For Good. Starting March 2nd, Main Street Greensburg will rally our supporters to help us advance in an online single-elimination bracket-style fundraising tournament. The first “game” for Main Street Greensburg is against Gleaners Food Bank of Indiana. The final buzzer for this game sounds at 8pm EST March 9th.
“Being matched up first against such a large organization has me feeling like the 1954 Milan Basketball team, but as we all know the ending to that story, we should not be counted out yet,” said Wendy Blake, Executive Director for Main Street Greensburg.
The non-profit, Main Street Greensburg, is intended to create a better community by focusing on the downtown district through promotion, design, economic development, and historic preservation. Residents may not know the organization but are familiar with some of their activities like the Summer Farmers Market, Tenderloin Throwdown, and Holiday Walk. The group has also been instrumental in producing 4 murals downtown, a façade grant program reinvesting $10,000-$20,000 in to the community each year, mosaic trash cans, streetscape improvements/additions downtown, a low interest revolving loan fund for businesses, and partnership on numerous other projects since their beginning, 13 years ago.
Fundraising is a part of every non-profit organization for the continuation and/or advancement of efforts. Brackets for Good offers Main Street Greensburg a fun and unique way of raising funds. “There are not many Hoosiers that don’t get excited about basketball and March Madness,” said Wendy Blake, “I hope the energy behind our own Greensburg High School Lady Pirates advancing to state could carry over to this competition.”
Main Street Greensburg is not approaching the game empty handed; they have partnered with Enhanced Telecommunications (ETC) as their Community Teammate. ETC is a third-generation, family-owned telecommunications company. Based in Sunman Indiana since 1933, the company’s service footprint has grown to includes nine counties throughout Southeastern Indiana. The company provides internet, video, phone, cellular, security and web development services to more than 10,000 residential and enterprise customers in the region.
As part of its Foundations of Success, ETC is committed to cultivating strong, local communities. The company supports volunteerism and philanthropy with groups like Main Street Greensburg.
“The ‘Brackets for Good’ effort is an ideal way for ETC to do its part in improving our communities,” said Marketing and Public Relations Coordinator Jenni Hanna. “We know what a great asset Main Street Greensburg is, not only to our downtown area but to our entire community. Because our company is only as strong as the communities we service it only makes sense for us to help ensure the success of groups like Main Street Greensburg.”
Indianapolis-based Brackets For Good, pairs with corporate and nonprofit sponsors to host online, bracket-style fundraising tournaments in philanthropic communities around the United States. Brackets for Good has raised more than $2.75 million for local charities since its 2012 kick-off contest in Indianapolis.
Participating nonprofits rally enthusiastic donors to out-fundraise their opponents in order to advance. Through the excitement, localized marketing, and corporate involvement, nonprofits earn increased exposure, gain access to free fundraising tools, and are introduced to new donors. Dollars from donors translate to points, giving participants the opportunity to advance in each markets’ bracket. Competing nonprofits keep donations received during tournament play, no matter how many rounds they advance. The winning organization in each tournament receives an additional Championship grant.
