Give 8/28 Lex Doubles Down for Community Impact

The second annual Give 8/28 Lex campaign proved that collective generosity can create powerful, lasting impact. On August 28, BGCF and LBPI brought the community together to raise $234,956 in support of 40 Black-serving nonprofits in Fayette County. 

Give 8/28 Lex is part of the national Give 8/28 movement, a coordinated day of giving held during Black Philanthropy Month to honor the legacy of Black generosity and uplift organizations serving Black communities. The date of August 28 holds deep historical significance, marking milestones in Black history including the March on Washington in 1963 and the ratification of the 13th Amendment in 1865. 

Give 8/28 Lex rallied hundreds of donors to support a broad range of nonprofits doing vital work in the areas of youth development, education, food justice, housing, public health, community safety, and more. 

The 2025 campaign doubled down on last year’s efforts—with twice as many participating nonprofits, twice the amount of matching funds, and twice the dollars raised. In 2024, Give 8/28 Lex raised $120,000 for 26 organizations. This year, 40 nonprofits received support, fueled by more than $100,000 in matching funds and prizes that boosted the impact of every donation. Matching gifts were made possible by the Lexington Black Prosperity Initiative, Blue Grass Community Foundation, Back Black and several generous anonymous donors. 

Throughout the day, participating nonprofits engaged their networks with storytelling, social media campaigns and community outreach to mobilize support. A full slate of hourly prizes and dollar-for-dollar matching opportunities helped build excitement and drive donor participation from early morning until the final hours of the campaign. 

“Give 8/28 Lex was a powerful celebration of our community’s collective generosity and the incredible work of Lexington’s Black-serving nonprofits,” said Christian Motley, LBPI chair. “Every gift made on 8/28 was an investment in organizations that are strengthening families, supporting youth, expanding opportunity and building a more prosperous Lexington for all.” 

One key goal of the campaign is to support grassroots, community-based organizations—many of which operate with small budgets but have deep, direct relationships with the people they serve. By providing a dedicated platform and spotlight, Give 8/28 Lex helps level the playing field and encourages donors to explore organizations they may not have known before. 

Since its launch in 2024, Give 8/28 Lex has raised more than $350,000 for Black-serving nonprofits in Fayette County, and LBPI aims to continue growing its reach, support and impact in years to come. To learn more about the Lexington Black Prosperity Initiative or to support future campaigns like Give 8/28 Lex, visit bgcf.org/LBPI.