TELLURIDE – The Mayans predicted that the end of the world would come on Dec. 12, 2012. That happens to be the day that the Telluride Foundation picked to launch its second annual Telluride Gives event, benefiting local nonprofit organizations.

“You can’t take it with you, so you might as well give it all away, and think of Telluride on twelve-twelve-twelve,” quipped Telluride Foundation development manager Katie Singer.

From Dec. 12 through Dec. 14, donors from throughout the region and indeed the entire country will be encouraged to log onto the website www.telluridegives.org and give money to their favorite local nonprofit organization(s) focusing on the arts, education, sports, and health and human services sectors.

The online platform allows donors to search for and choose which nonprofit they want to support. Close to 100 organizations in the Telluride Foundation’s service region (including San Miguel County, Ouray County and the west end of Montrose County) stand to benefit from the event. Each participating nonprofit is invited to post an individual project that needs funding.

Telluride Rentals has sweetened the deal, donating 3 percent of bookings revenues though Saturday, Dec. 1 to Telluride Gives as prize money for the nonprofit organization raising the most money and the organization that gets the most unique donors.

“We are very thankful for the prize money to incentivize people to fundraise for these organizations’ wonderful work,” Singer said.

Telluride Gives, now in its second year, is inspired by a large trend on online giving. “Our intent is to engage the whole community and focus on philanthropy benefiting the region surrounding us,” Singer said.

Last year’s effort raised almost $20,000 from 177 donors for 29 nonprofit organizations. Top beneficiaries included the San Miguel Resource Center, local preschools and the Telluride Academy.

“It was great. We engaged new donors and people from all over the country participated,” Singer said.

This year, Singer anticipates an even greater outpouring of support as e-mails, newsletters, radio shows and social media will be driving donors to the Telluride Gives website. KOTO will be broadcasting updates on Telluride Gives throughout the day of Dec. 12.

“We hope that every single citizen will log on to  www.telluridegives.org and contribute for the benefit of local charities,” Singer said. “This is an opportunity for everyone who cares about the Telluride region to give collectively to the community.” To learn more, visit www.telluridegives.org and follow the action at www.facebook.com/telluridegives12.12.12.