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Marietta Community Foundation says it is bringing back one of its most popular Nonprofit Challenges this fall, but with a new name, a new twist and $30,000 in prize funds up for grabs.
According to a news release from the foundation, since 2015, its Nonprofit Challenge has brought organizations across Washington County together for a competition designed to engage supporters, encourage community giving and help participating organizations earn prize dollars. This year, the challenge returns as the 2026 Nonprofit Challenge: Change-Makers, Nov. 2-16.
"Our team has been hearing for the last few years …'When are you bringing back the Penny War?'" said Laney Hitchens, communications and marketing director at Marietta Community Foundation. "After the incredible response to last year's challenge, we knew it was the perfect time to bring it back! We're excited to give our nonprofits another chance to rally their supporters, get creative and compete for some serious prize money!"
Participating nonprofits will receive a jug to decorate and will spend two weeks rallying their supporters to fill it with coins, cash, checks and online gifts. Every contribution earns points based on its monetary value. And this year, according to the news release, there is one major change: There are no negative points.
Who can participate?
Any nonprofit organization with an active 501(c)(3) status in Washington County is eligible. At the end of the challenge, the five nonprofits with the highest point totals will split $29,000 in prize funds, with an additional $1,000 auxiliary prize awarded for the best decorated jug.
2026 Prize Awards
• 1st Place: $10,000
• 2nd Place: $8,500
• 3rd Place: $5,000
• 4th Place: $3,000
• 5th Place: $2,500
• Best decorated jug: $1,000 auxiliary prize
In addition to the competition, Change-Makers will help generate funding for the Foundation's Community Impact Fund. All money collected during the challenge will be contributed to the fund, which provides grants to nonprofits serving Washington County.
"Our Community Impact Fund is the backbone of our grantmaking," Hitchens said. "Change-Makers gives us a really exciting opportunity to rally our entire community around that mission, while also cheering on their favorite nonprofits and helping them compete for a share of the prize money. It's a win for the nonprofits participating, a win for the Community Impact Fund and, ultimately, a win for our entire community!"
Nonprofits interested in participating must register by Oct. 16 at www.mcfohio.org/nonprofitchallenge. Registered organizations can pick up their challenge jugs at the foundation on Oct. 23 and must return their decorated jugs by Oct. 30.
The challenge will officially run from Nov. 2-16, with the winners announced on Nov. 18, during Marietta Community Foundation's Nonprofit Open House.
For more information or to register, visit www.mcfohio.org/nonprofit-challenge. Questions may be directed to Hitchens at laney@mcfohio.org or 740-373-3286.