Cindy Crawford Supports Art Van Charity Challenge

February 1, 2016  by in Community / Charitable Support, Industry   

The retailer’s Rise to the (charity) Challenge kicks off today with Crawford serving as the campaigns ambassador for the second year. Crawford plans to inspire non-profit organizations in Michigan, Illinois, Indiana and Ohio to raise $3 million during this year's competition.

"We are delighted that Cindy has embraced the Art Van Charity Challenge by lending not just her name, but her deep commitment to this extraordinary community initiative," said Art Van Elslander, founder and chairman of Art Van Furniture. ”The fundraising bar has been set high for this year's competition and I look forward to seeing how participating charities rise to the occasion."

The challenge, powered by CrowdRise, begins accepting applications today from Midwest non-profit organizations focusing on children, health care and human services. Art Van Furniture will award a total of $300,000 in grants to fundraising groups with this year's top prize increasing to $100,000. Other grants awarded will range from $1,500 to $50,000. The competition lasts five weeks, from May 18 to June 22, 2016. To date, the Art Van Charity Challenge has raised the most funds out of all CrowdRise challenges in the Midwest.

"Each of us has been touched in our lives by someone in need of the services these wonderful charities provide," said Crawford, who lost her brother to leukemia when she was 9 years old and has helped raise money for the Leukemia Foundation of America and other special causes. "It is a privilege for me, and fulfilling on so many levels, to again play a role in supporting so many deserving organizations through the Art Van Charity Challenge."

The Art Van Charity Challenge raised $2.3 million in 2015, over $22 million in the past seven years, and donated more than $7 million to participating nonprofit organizations. The Art Van Charity Challenge supports more than 260 charity partners in the communities it serves.