Area nonprofit groups are hoping to hear from regular supporters and new fans when the Fairfield County Community Foundation (FCCF) presents its second annual online Day of Giving. FCCF is again collaborating with Bank of America with the 24 hours of online donations.

Fairfield County Giving Day 2014 raised a total of $745,729.64. The event this year has a goal of $1 million.

Fairfield County Giving Day makes it fast and easy to support a favorite nonprofit. On Thursday, March 5, from midnight until 11:59 pm, everyone is invited to help support a favorite program, cause, or nonprofit with an online donation of at least $10.

The following Newtown-based organizations have all registered for this year’s event: The Avielle Foundation, Inc; Ben’s Bells Project/Ben’s Bells Newtown; Ben’s Lighthouse; The Catherine Violet Hubbard Foundation/The Catherine Violet Hubbard Animal Sanctuary; Creative Youth Productions Inc; EverWonder Children’s Museum; Friends of 2GHG Inc; Leaps of Faith Disabled Water Skiers Club; Newtown Forest Association; The Newtown Foundation; Newtown Historical Society; Newtown Kindness; Newtown Youth & Family Services; Peak Academy/REACH Newtown; and Sandy Hook Promise Foundation Inc.

There are 401 organizations registered for this year’s event. While not headquartered in Newtown, many have helped residents in the past or have benefited from past events, such as the American Cancer Society, The Kennedy Center, Regional Hospice and Home Care, Women’s Center of Greater Danbury, and many others.

Those looking to donate on March 5 should visit FCgives.org. Organizations can be found by searching for their name. Website visitors also have the option to searching through general groupings.

Each category can be searched through a full alphabetical listing, or by searching through the category’s list by hometown.

In addition to an onslaught of donations received during the 24-hour period, organizations can earn bonuses, or grant prizes, for a number of special recognitions. Last year, Silvermine Guild Arts received a $1,000 prize for raising the most money; Curtain Call of Stamford received $500 prizes for having the second most donations received and the second most money raised; FSW received $500 prizes for third most donations received and for receiving the 100th donation on Giving Day; and Ridgefield Chorale received a $500 prize for the third most money raised.

Along with the major prizes, 55 nonprofits received $1,000 match prizes for being the first to raise $1,000.

During last year’s inaugural event, more than 15,000 donations were received. A total of 15,423 donations were received by more than 250 local nonprofit organizations, totaling $618,229.64. An additional $127,500 in prizes funded by FCCF, Bank of America, and other corporate and community sponsors was awarded to more than 50 nonprofits.

The five nonprofit groups that had the highest number of donations — Curtain Call in Stamford, with 1,890 donations; Ridgefield Chorale, 1,655; Domus Kids in Stamford, 1,020; Wildlife in Crisis in Weston, 645; and FSW in Bridgeport, 563 — received prizes ranging from $25,000 to $5,000.