In one day, people contributed more than $102,000 to local nonprofit agencies.
"We're coming together as a city to encourage giving back," said Dave Buck, executive director of the Chattanooga Autism Center.
The center is one of 113 local nonprofits benefiting from Chattanooga's first #CHAgives Day. The day is nationally known as #GivingTuesday.
Of the 113 participating nonprofits, 15 collected more than $2,000, the United Way announced Friday in news release. The YMCA raised nearly $8,000 for its Backpack Blessings program, which provides children in need with food to take home from school for the weekend.
About $500 raised during the day went to the Autism Center, Buck said.
He said the money encourages the center to continue its work in the Chattanooga area.
The joint fund established by Causeway and United Way collected about $2,500 which will be used to support innovation and risk taking in nonprofits, according to the release.
Mayor Andy Berke declared the first Tuesday after Thanksgiving to be #CHAgives Day this year. But the national #GivingTuesday event started in New York City in 2012.
United Way and Causeway said they're already looking forward to more participation in 2016.
"We're proud to have been part of the effort with United Way and Mayor Berke's office to bring together this region's nonprofits in a unified campaign to bring charity back into the season," said Causeway Executive Director Abby Garrison.
Contact staff writer Yolanda Putman at yputman@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6431