133 Midwest Charities Shift Into High Gear To Win $180,000 In Grants In Ninth Annual Art Van Charity Challenge

Drive for a cause! Today, charities across the Midwest are starting their fundraising engines for Art Van Furniture’s ninth annual Art Van Charity Challenge. This year, 133 charities will be competing for a $100,000 grand prize from the Midwest’s number one furniture and mattress retailer.

Since the Art Van Charity Challenge began in 2009, Art Van Furniture has donated more than $8 million and raised over $24 million for more than 350 charities. This year’s charities, which focus on women, children and human services, will compete to raise the most money from today until Tuesday, April 25. The top five nonprofit organizations that raise the most money will share $180,000 in prize grants from Art Van Furniture, ranging from $10,000 to $100,000.

“Art Van Furniture has always had a dedicated arena for giving back to those in the community who have supported us throughout the years,” said Kim Yost, CEO of Art Van Furniture. “We are excited to see the friendly competition unfold and witness the generosity of thousands of individuals, helping to drive awareness and funds for causes throughout the Midwest.”

For the third consecutive year, international supermodel, businesswoman and philanthropist Cindy Crawford is serving as the Art Van Charity Challenge ambassador. The winners of the Art Van Charity Challenge will be announced on Wednesday, April 26. All participating charities keep the funds they raise throughout the challenge.

Powered by CrowdRise, an online charitable fundraising site, the Art Van Charity Challenge has raised more money than any other CrowdRise challenge in the Midwest. For more information, including a complete list of this year’s participating charities from Michigan, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa and Ohio, please visit www.artvancharitychallenge.com.