Mower County nonprofits are more than $50,000 richer thanks to a statewide fundraising drive.

The Otto Bremer Foundation (OBF) wrapped up its month-long $1 million matching gift campaign, March Millions for Southeastern Minnesota, on March 31, exceeding its goal by raising $1,185,436. Mower County organizations raised $49,127 during the drive, not counting Otto Bremer Foundation funding matches. In addition, one area nonprofit received a $1,000 bonus.

When matched by $1 million, as well as another $41,000 OBF contributed throughout the month as daily “Bremer Boosts” and a month-end “Mega Boost” that matched individual donations, the campaign raised $2,226,436.

And the $1 million match was made in four days.

“We had no idea that the million dollars would be matched in just four days! The energy with which the participating nonprofit organizations reached out to their donors and the overwhelming response by them was simply amazing,” said Brian Lipschultz, co-CEO and trustee, in a press release. “In one month we have witnessed the incredible generosity of more than 2,000 individuals and their involvement in services that benefit so many others.”

The campaign benefitted 102 participating nonprofits from Dodge, Fillmore, Freeborn, Houston, Mower, Olmsted, Wabasha and Winona counties. Through the end of the campaign, 2,276 individual donors had made contributions online through campaign partner GiveMN.