Area nonprofit groups are hoping to hear from regular supporters and new fans when the Fairfield County Community Foundation (FCCF) presents its third annual online Day of Giving.raised a total of $1,066,091. Sixteen Newtown organizations raised a total of $39,151.FCgives.org. Organizations can be found by searching for their name. Website visitors also have the option to searching through general groupings.

Fairfield County Giving Day makes it fast and easy to support a favorite nonprofit. On Thursday, March 10, from midnight until 11:59 pm, everyone is invited to help support a favorite program, cause, or nonprofit with an online donation of at least $10. Donations are 100% tax deductible.

Starting at midnight on Thursday, March 10, the Fairfield County region will have a 24-hour philanthropic challenge. More than 400 organizations have registered for this year's event.

Fairfield County Giving Day 2015

The following Newtown-based organizations have registered for this year: The Animal Center, The Avielle Foundation, Ben's Lighthouse, The Catherine Violet Hubbard Foundation Inc, EverWonder Children's Museum, Friends of 2GHG, Housatonic Valley Waldorf School, Kitten Associates, Leaps Of Faith Disabled Water Skiers Club; The Newtown Foundation, Newtown Kindness, Newtown Historical Society, Newtown Youth & Family Services, NYA Sports & Fitness Center, REACH Newtown, Sandy Hook Promise Foundation, Inc.

While not headquartered in Newtown, many have helped residents in the past or have benefited from past events, such as the American Cancer Society, The Kennedy Center, Regional Hospice and Home Care, Women's Center of Greater Danbury, and many others.

In addition, Ben's Bells Connecticut, which was founded as Ben's Bells Newtown in 2013 but moved to a new studio in Bethel within the past year, is also participating again.

Those looking to donate on March 5 should visit

Each category can be searched through a full alphabetical listing, or by searching through the category's list by hometown.

In addition to an onslaught of donations received during the 24-hour period, organizations can earn bonuses, or grant prizes, for a number of special recognitions.

Last year, The Catherine Violet Hubbard Foundation/The Catherine Violet Hubbard Animal Sanctuary won first place in a Facebook Contest. Registered groups were encouraged to post "a creative, dynamic and engaging photo" on their Facebook page, with the tag #FairfieldCountyCares, and the three groups with the largest number of Likes on their photos received cash prizes. The CHV Foundation earned a $1,000 bonus for winning that competition.

Three groups, including The Newtown Foundation, were each awarded $500 during a Homestretch celebration near the end of Giving Day.

Curtain Call repeated as the top group for 2015. Donations and cash prizes for the Stamford based theater company totaled $82,203. The second highest group was Wildlife in Crisis, a Weston-based group that provides care to injured or orphaned wild animals that raised $76,890.