April 29, 2026 - Nonprofits in East Texas benefited from the generosity of 6,429 donors during East Texas Giving Day, the region’s recognized day of giving to support local nonprofits. The online fundraising effort began at 6:00 a.m. on Tuesday, April 28th, and ended at midnight. Based on preliminary results, donors contributed $3.65 to support the causes they care about in 32 East Texas counties.
“East Texas residents responded with incredible generosity,” said Kyle Penney, President of East Texas Communities Foundation, which hosts the event. “Our nonprofit partners put in tremendous effort to highlight the needs in our communities, and donors answered that call in a powerful way. The results reflect the deep commitment across our region to support one another and improve our communities.”
Since inception in 2016, East Texas Giving Day has raised $24.5 million for participating nonprofits serving East Texas.
During East Texas Giving Day, nonprofit organizations encouraged their donors and the public to make charitable donations online at www.EastTexasGivingDay.org. Donors could choose among 332 participating charities, and make donations starting at just $10. Throughout the day, donations to select nonprofits were eligible to be matched thanks to the generosity of individuals and nonprofit business partners that had already pledged funds to the charities they support. This year, $1 million in match was available on the East Texas Giving Day website.
East Texas Giving Day benefited nonprofits of all sizes. Preliminary results show the overall event leader to be Texas A&M – Texarkana. The Bowie County based nonprofit claimed the top spot raising $310,740. Northeast Texas Community College Foundation, based in Titus County, held on to second place with $291,679 followed closely by Smith County nonprofit Breckenridge Village raising $257,877.
Northeast Texas Community College Foundation also received the most overall donations. Their 256 separate donations helped the nonprofit meet their match.
Media sponsors for East Texas Giving Day include: KETK NBC 56 and KFXK Fox 51, KYTX CBS19, KTAL NBC 6, KLTV ABC 7, KTRE ABC 9 serving Lufkin, Jack FM 106.5, KYKX 105.7 of Longview, KVNE 89.5 and KGLY 93.1, KSWP 90.9 and KAVX 91.9, KALK 97.7 and KSCN 96.9 of Mt. Pleasant, Townsquare Media in Texarkana, Tyler & Lufkin, Tyler Today Magazine, Charm Magazine in Lufkin, 4 States Living, Texarkana Today, and 4 States Magazine. Media sponsors helped publicize giving day with online public service announcements and live broadcasts throughout the day.
