RENO — As the start of November ushers in the holiday giving season, Gov. Brian Sandoval has proclaimed Nov. 17 as Nevada’s Big Give Day. The formal recognition of this one-day, online giving initiative, Nevada’s Big Give encourages each Nevadan to give back to the community by donating to philanthropic organizations to improve the overall quality of life statewide. Nevada’s Big Give aims to raise $1 million in a single day through one central website, www.nvbiggive.org.

“Charitable giving is vital to our vibrant state and without the generous support from Nevada’s communities, the thousands of charities that serve each corner of our state would not exist,” Gov. Sandoval said in an open letter to communities around the state. “I encourage all Nevadans to join us in making history by supporting Nevada’s Big Give on Nov. 17.”

In northern Nevada alone, there are already more than 100 nonprofits registered for the state’s first-ever united day of giving. Such organizations include the American Red Cross, Terry Lee Wells Nevada Discovery Museum, Boys & Girls Club of Truckee Meadows, Make-A-Wish Foundation of Northern Nevada, Children’s Cabinet, Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation International (JDRF) and many more. All 501(c)(3) organizations in Nevada are eligible to participate and will be able to register through Monday.

The Big Give is a united effort that strengthens the nonprofit community and improves the quality of life for all Nevadans. NevadaGIVES, the nonprofit organization that coordinated Nevada’s Big Give, is offering several incentives to encourage nonprofit and donor participation before and on Nov. 17. Prizes and matching donations will be given to the top three charitable organizations with the most dollars raised. Also, 12 “Golden Tickets” will be awarded for $1,000 each. Tickets will be awarded to randomly selected charities at various times throughout the day.

For more information, visit www.nvbiggive.org.