Holiday Cheer for Charity 2023: Readers' choice nonprofit to win $20,000

Marnie Muñoz
The Detroit News

With the holidays around the corner, The Detroit News is giving back to the community with its seventh annual Holiday Cheer for Charity competition, which awards one nonprofit $20,000 based on reader votes.

"With the Detroit News celebrating its 150th anniversary, we are thrilled to have an incredible and diverse group of charities participating in our 7th annual Holiday Cheer for Charity campaign," said Maryan Toma, a marketing specialist for Gannett and the USA Today Network. "Being able to give back to some of the most deserving organizations during such a joyful and festive time underscores The News's deep commitment to the Metro Detroit community."

Readers have 14 charities to choose from in the 2023 competition's first round. First round voting begins at noon on Sunday through this link and will be open through Nov. 26 at 11:59 p.m.

The nonprofits are:

Michigan Ovarian Cancer Alliance: This organization supports Michigan residents impacted by ovarian cancer and funds research while raising awareness on the issue. Facebook | Instagram

Tuskegee Airmen National Historical Museum: A community-first space, the Tuskegee Airmen National Historical Museum informs the public, houses artifacts and provides hands-on aerospace and aviation engineering programs. Facebook | Instagram

Living Arts Detroit: The organization encourages Detroit youth to access the performing, visual and media arts and to seek inspiration from their community. Facebook | Instagram

Gesher Human Services: The Jewish human services group offers programming assistance on workforce, behavioral health, inclusion and residential issues for Metro Detroiters. Facebook | Instagram

Blue Water Recovery & Outreach Center: A local addiction recovery group run by people in recovery, the nonprofit offers recovery resources and training with community outreach. Facebook

Rhonda Walker Foundation: The five-year leadership program mentors teen girls to grow their confidence, build successful futures and become leaders. Facebook | Instagram

A Kid Again: The nonprofit provides positive experiences, community and long-term support to children with life-threatening conditions and their families. Facebook | Instagram

Salus Center: The LGBTQIA+ community center provides programs, groups, clinics and other events for Lansing community members. Facebook | Instagram

Michigan Lyme Disease Association: The nonprofit supports educational programs and research on Lyme disease diagnoses and treatments. Facebook

Affirmations: The LGBTQ+ community center in Ferndale offers community space, programming and other events. Facebook | Instagram

Rosa L. Parks Scholarship Foundation: Awards scholarships to Michigan high school seniors who demonstrate academic skill, community involvement and economic need while upholding the ideals of civil rights activist Rosa L. Parks. Facebook

HAVEN: The nonprofit provides support services to victims of sexual assault and domestic violence in Oakland County. Facebook

Kunsthalle Detroit: This Detroit nonprofit offers multimedia art exhibition space and historic building restoration. Facebook

Detroit Creativity Project: This nonprofit provides young people in Detroit with improvisation classes to inspire confidence and creativity. Facebook | Instagram

Here are the official 2023 Holiday Cheer for Charity rules:

Each individual person may cast one vote each day for the first round between noon on Nov. 12 until 11:59 p.m. Nov. 26.

By the end of round one, the top five nonprofits with the most votes will be announced and move on to a final round.

The final round of the competition is based on monetary donations through FundRazr.com. Donations start at a minimum of $10.

Voters can choose among the top five second-round candidates between noon on Dec. 1 until 11:59 p.m. Dec. 15.

Each donation in the second round will go to its corresponding nonprofit, which will keep their full fundraising.

The Detroit News will award $20,000 to the nonprofit with the most donations raised to the dollar.

Readers can also support their favorite contestant on social media and tag The Detroit News.

The 2022 Cheer for Charity campaign garnered more than 6,000 public votes in the first round and raised more than $68,000 by the end of round two.