A crowdfunding campaign to raise $50,000 for a new Grand Traverse County Civic Center playground by midnight Wednesday - and qualify the county for a $50,000 match from the state - received a $24,000 boost over the weekend.

Donations spiked from just over $6,261 from 53 donors as of Saturday morning to $30,681 from 78 donors as of Monday night. One donor contacted the county and offered to cover the complete $44,000 funding gap in exchange for playground naming rights - an opportunity publicized by the county - but officials discovered the state will only allow a maximum $10,000 donation per entity to qualify for the grant match. County Parks and Recreation Director Kristine Erickson says the interested donor contributed the maximum $10,000 anyway, while another donor - Westwind Construction in Spring Lake - chipped in another $10,000.

Officials are hoping other community members and organizations can come forward to help cover the remaining $20,000 needed to receive the match by Wednesday's deadline. If the county meet its goal, the combined $100,000 through raised funds and the state match - along with $50,000 already pledged through earlier donations - will be enough to fund the playground's construction. "I just want to make a challenge to the community somehow to come through for this, because I think we can raise $20,000 by midnight on Wednesday," says Erickson. Donations are tax-deductible and can be made online here or by contacting 231-922-4818 for donations over $5,000.