In its first annual Give Miami Day, the Miami Foundation brought in over $1.2 million for local charities. Following in the footsteps of other states' online fundraising events, the foundation asked individuals to make electronic donations to their favorite charities. The effort elicited the support of nearly 5,000 individuals who collectively gave to 300 participating nonprofit organizations.

Give Miami Day received support from the Miami Foundation in the form of a $100,000 matching contribution. The John S. and James L. Knight Foundation also participated in the event by giving funds worth 12.5 percent for every donation made between $25 and $10,000.

"Give Miami Day completely surpassed our expectations," said Javier Alberto Soto, president and CEO of The Miami Foundation. "Our community's generosity of spirit was on full display as we proved once again that, when given the right opportunity, Miamians will generously give to build a better community."

As foundations tap into emerging digital channels to raise funds online, they can benefit from nonprofit fundraising software that tracks incoming donations and quantitatively measures the success of their efforts.