<div>MATTHEWS – Matthews Alive organizers are distributing proceeds from the 2024 festival to nonprofit partners this month.The Labor Day weekend festival has been held in downtown Matthews for nearly 50 years, with 32 years in its current format. Nonprofits work alongside the board of directors during the festival and receive portions of the proceeds for their participation.Despite two days of heavy rain, Matthews Alive was able to give $67,875 to 30 organizations that worked during the festival. These groups included everything from outdoor activity managers to indoor exhibitor groups and parade marching bands.Lee Anne Moore, executive director of Matthews Alive, explained this year’s board made solid business decisions on the front end that minimized disappointment as the proceeds from the rain-soaked event were calculated. “Those decisions truly saved the day and enabled the working groups to still receive a nice stipend,” Moore said. The restructuring and decision-making also opened the door to new ways of giving back to nonprofits. Small donations will be distributed for the first time to community groups that have historically been unable to participate during the weekend, such as the Matthews HELP Center and the Matthews Free Medical Clinic.“This Matthews Alive board is focused on the future and how to strategically grow the festival as the town has grown,” Moore said. “They are not afraid to try new ways of structuring the entire event to make it more viable and efficient.“The board will continue to creatively increase efficiency in coming years as we face challenges such as rising costs and outgrowing the current festival footprint. By working strategically, as we did this year, the Matthews Alive Festival will be able to provide a family-friendly festival for our town and give back to the community for many years to come – rain or shine.”</div>

Mountain View, CA

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Nonprofits receive nearly $68,000 from Matthews Alive

MATTHEWS – Matthews Alive organizers are distributing proceeds from the 2024 festival to nonprofit partners this month. The Labor Day weekend festival has been held in downtown Matthews for nearly 50 years, with 32 years in its current format. Nonprofits work alongside the board of directors during the festival and receive portions of the proceeds for their participation.