IT’S BACK.

2026 NONPROFIT CHALLENGE

Meet ‘Change’-Makers

One of our most memorable Nonprofit Challenges is making its return. After bringing Washington County together in 2023, we're bringing it back with a new name, a new twist and $30,000 up for grabs.

Everything You Need to Know…

If you have any questions about how to get involved, challenge requirements, or next steps, please reach out to Laney Hitchens, Communications & Marketing Director, at laney@mcfohio.org.

1. Register Your Nonprofit
  Please confirm your nonprofit’s participation no later than October 16, 2026 by filling out the form below. Once registered, you will receive your challenge jug and additional information to help you prepare.
2. Pick Up Your Jug
  Jugs will be available for pickup at Marietta Community Foundation on October 23, 2026.
3. Decorate Your Jug
  Get creative and decorate your jug to represent your organization, your mission or the community you serve. Decorated jugs must be returned to Marietta Community Foundation by October 30, 2026.
  Keep in mind…one participating nonprofit will also receive a $1,000 auxiliary prize for Best Decorated Jug. This prize will be awarded separately from the Top 5 challenge prizes.
4. Play the Game
  The challenge officially begins November 2 and runs through November 16. During this time, encourage your supporters, board members, volunteers, friends, family and community members to contribute to your jug and help you earn points.
- October 16 – Deadline to confirm participation
- October 23 – Challenge jugs available for pickup
- October 30 – Decorated jugs due to MCF
- November 2 – Challenge officially begins
- November 16 – Challenge ends
- November 18 – Top 5 winners and Best Decorated Jug winner announced at MCF’s Nonprofit Open House
Points are based on monetary value, with every $1 equal to 100 points.
- Coins = Positive Points
  - Penny = +1 point
  - Nickel = +5 points
  - Dime = +10 points
  - Quarter = +25 points
- Cash, Checks, and Online Gifts = Positive Points
  - $1 = +100 points
  - $5 = +500 points
  - $10 = +1,000 points
  - $25 = +2,500 points
  - $50 = +5,000 points
  - $100 = +10,000 points
There are no negative points in this year’s challenge. Every contribution adds to your nonprofit’s total.
The five nonprofits with the highest point totals at the end of the challenge will receive:
- 1st Place: $10,000
- 2nd Place: $7,500
- 3rd Place: $5,000
- 4th Place: $3,000
- 5th Place: $2,500
- Best Decorated Jug: $1,000 Auxiliary Prize

Register Your Nonprofit!

Any nonprofit organization with active 501(c)(3) status located in Washington County is eligible to participate in the 2026 Nonprofit Challenge: Change-Makers.
All money collected for this challenge will be donated to the Community Impact Fund, which regularly provides grants to nonprofits serving Washington County. For more information on MCF’s grant programs, visit: https://www.mcfohio.org/grants
The main goal of decorating the jug is to represent your nonprofit effectively, attract attention, and encourage donations during the challenge. By following these guidelines, your organization can create a visually appealing and impactful display.
1. Nonprofits must use the provided jug.
2. Each jug must prominently display the nonprofit’s name to ensure easy identification.
3. Each jug must have a visible strip of transparency to allow viewers to see the donations inside.
4. The opening of the jug must be easily accessible to insert donations (and remove donations for counting) without spilling or difficulty.
5. The decoration should be sturdy, durable, and safe, as the water jug will be moved or transported during the challenge. Ensure that it has no sharp edges or materials that may pose harm and can withstand handling. Sliding the jugs or moving them with a dolly is highly likely as they become heavier.
That’s it! We encourage teamwork within your nonprofit to come up with the best decoration ideas. Remember, the goal is to develop a design that captures attention and promotes participation in the challenge. Have fun!
Note: Once the competition begins, all jugs must remain in the possession of Marietta Community Foundation. However, the decorated water jugs will not be reused and will be recycled or disposed of following the competition. Once the winners are announced, nonprofits are welcome to keep their jug as a memento or for any other purpose.
Yes, any top 5 prize won must go into a new fund or a pre-existing fund.
Yes! Online donations are encouraged! Simply visit the PayPal link and select the name of the nonprofit you’d like to support from the dropdown menu. We’ll make sure your donation is added to that nonprofit’s total.
Yes! You can start collecting money before November 2. However, November 2 is the first day donations can be brought to the Foundation.
We won’t know the final results until everything has been counted, but we’ll share photo updates throughout the challenge, so be sure to follow us on Facebook and Instagram to keep up with the action!
Then, join us at our Nonprofit Open House on November 18 when we’ll reveal the final results and celebrate the impact our community made together.