Chris Murphy wants to find “10,000 reasons” for men in the community to come together and support local nonprofits through quarterly $10,000 donations. The aptly-named new organization 10,000 Reasons is a faith-based group of men focused on that cause.
Murphy said the hope is to have a minimum of 100 men in the group, each bringing $100 to their quarterly meeting.
“The idea is that if you get 100 guys together and everybody donates at least $100, it’s $10,000 that can be donated,” Murphy said.
Organizations to receive the funds will be nominated by members of the group, and the nonprofits will have to detail what they would do with the money before a decision is made. If a nonprofit is awarded the $10,000, Murphy said they won’t be eligible for another donation from the group until the following year to ensure there will be a variety of recipients.
Murphy said the idea for 10,000 Reasons came from other communities that have similar programs, specifically Evansville’s 100 Guys Who Care.
The Owensboro group will also function as a networking organization for both the members and nonprofits presenting.
But at its core, Murphy said, it’s people giving back to the community.
“Sometimes money has to be designated — like it has to be used for technology or has to be used for building or whatever. This money that we’re giving is just going to be discretionary funding, so they can use it for whatever — payroll, utilities, whatever they may need it for,” Murphy said.
The group plans to meet quarterly, with their first donation to be given in February and then every 3 months thereafter.
“If we have 200 guys show up, and we can give away $20,000, even better,” Murphy said.
Murphy noted that meetings will not be mandatory, as people can send their money ahead of time for it to count toward the pot, but to vote on the nonprofit that will receive the donation members will need to be present.
“Our community is great, and these (nonprofits0 are kind of the unsung heroes of certain parts of the community that they get to know, and that’s rewarding too,” Murphy said. “But, to know that we’re being good stewards of what God’s given us and we can give back to others [is just as rewarding].”
To find out more or to become a member, head to their website here.
