15 years ago, Lubbock Impact opened its doors to serve the working poor in areas of food, clothing, healthcare and spiritual growth. The volunteer driven nonprofit started by providing a hot community meal on Wednesdays and has since added a food and hygiene pantry open twice a week and three clinics for medical, dental and vision care. All of these services are free of charge, but like any nonprofit, their work couldn’t be done without the advocacy, time, and financial support of the community.

 Every year, City Bank Community Rewards awards a total of $60,000 to 30 local nonprofits in the South Plains and in the Permian Basin. Nonprofits can register in one of the six categories: Basic Human Needs, Health & Wellness, Youth Development & Advocacy, Education & Youth Services, Community Contribution & Leadership and Animal Welfare & Environment. Using their email addresses, the community votes on the nonprofits that they want to see win and the winners are announced in December. The amounts range from $500 to $4,000, with the top vote-getter winning an additional $3,000 on top of their first place $4,000. Since 2012, Lubbock Impact has participated and even won money to help continue their programs.

 “The money comes at a great time of the year for us,” Lubbock Impact Executive Director Becky Robertson said. “It comes when we are helping families celebrate the holidays. And the money is a blessing for us as we start our new year. January is historically a month when there is less giving in the nonprofit world. Receiving the Community Rewards is a great way to end the year and for us to have some hope going into the new year.”

 For your nonprofit to receive votes and potentially win money, it’s simple. All your supporters need is an email address and a few seconds to vote throughout the day. Lubbock Impact loves being able to rally their clients and volunteers to work towards a common goal. “Community Rewards allows individuals who typically cannot financially support Lubbock Impact to have the opportunity to be a part of an effort to support us,” Becky said. “Many of the participants in our programs are excited to be able to vote. They make time to vote and share with family and friends. Our volunteers are excited to vote as well.”

 If your nonprofit is still on the fence about signing up, Becky says the exposure of participating alone is well worth it. “As a nonprofit, the opportunity to have exposure to many who may not be aware of your work is invaluable. The process to sign up is easy and does not require you to do a lot of work. Once you are signed up, all you have to do is share the Community Rewards link with your supporters.”

 Community Rewards has been encouraging to Lubbock Impact over the years. Becky says they have been incredibly blessed that the community acknowledges their work at Lubbock Impact by voting for them and helping them win extra money. She also says all of the votes help show that people in Lubbock care about their neighbors and want to help support them though the programs Lubbock Impact provides.