Field of 64 local nonprofits vying for $10,000 grand prize is quickly half-filled

The field is filling for the first-ever Brackets for Good tournament in Hartford, a friendly competition among 64 local nonprofits that offers unique fundraising opportunities and a chance to win $10,000!

Hartford is one of only 11 cities to have a local tournament in 2017, the first time the bracket-style fundraising initiative will be in Connecticut.

To participate, nonprofits in the Greater Hartford-area can register free at https://hartford.bfg.org/city by Oct. 28, 2016. Thus far, 32 nonprofit organizations have registered, including 12 in just the past two weeks. Thirty-two slots remain available. There is no cost to nonprofit organizations for participating and they keep funds raised regardless of how far they advance.

Indianapolis-based non-profit Brackets For Good hosts online, bracket-style fundraising tournaments every March in communities around the United States. 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.

Brackets For Good has raised more than $2.75 million for local charities since 2012. Due to this overwhelming success and popularity, the tournaments have expanded from a single city - Indianapolis - to five cities last year, with the addition of Louisville, Ann Arbor, St. Louis, and Twin Cities.

This coming year, that growth continues with the addition of Hartford, Cincinnati, Miami, Denver, Nashville, and Baltimore. Also for the first time in 2017, there will be a national nonprofit competition, sponsored by AT&T, where national charitable organizations can compete.

The full field of Hartford-area nonprofits will be announced later this year, and special events highlighting the participating nonprofits will be held in advance of the tournament tip-off. The six-round tournament takes place over five weeks beginning on the last Friday in February, with each of the first four rounds lasting a week, and the semifinal and championship round each lasting three days. Participating nonprofits keep the donations raised, regardless of how far they advance.

Brackets For Good 2017 Hartford sponsors include: Stanley Black & Decker, Express Strategies, Lids, and Bloomerang.

“Stanley Black & Decker is committed to building a better tomorrow,” said Tim Perra, Stanley Black & Decker, Vice President of Communications. “It’s not just the homes we help build with our tools, or the schools we protect with our security systems. It’s also a commitment to stepping up and bettering our local community, which has been an important part of our culture for nearly 175 years. Partnering with Brackets For Good is a fun and impactful way we can support 64 organizations that are serving the Hartford community.”

“Brackets For Good exists because we believe that communities are strengthened when more people learn about and support local organizations that operate in service to the community,” said Reid McDowell, Partnerships & Marketing Director of Brackets For Good. “In both the for-profit and nonprofit sectors, it’s clear that Hartford organizations are dedicated to the strength and health of their community. This dedication to the community is what drove us to expand to Hartford. I’m looking forward to a fun and impactful March.”

The Brackets For Good tournament in Hartford is made possible by the support of local businesses dedicated to the community. Additional sponsorships are available. For more information, visit https://hartford.bfg.org/city

About BRACKETS FOR GOOD

Brackets For Good is an Indianapolis-based 501(c)3 charitable organization focused on activating new donors, and increasing awareness for other nonprofit organizations through competitive, online fundraising at no cost.