Hundreds of nonprofit organizations from Waterbury and Litchfield banded together Tuesday for an all-day, all-night fundraiser.

"It is a way for individuals, businesses, people all throughout Greater Waterbury and Litchfield Hills to come together and show their support to 257 nonprofit organizations," says Julie Loughran, the chief executive of the Connecticut Community Foundation.

Their goal is to raise money for Give Local, an online drive to benefit more than 250 charities.

One of those nonprofits is Shakesperience, a nonprofit theater company, where actors are performing a 36-hour "Shakespeare-a-thon."

Another is called Are You Dense? It provides breast cancer screenings.

"The dollars that we have received through Give Local we give those back to the community," says Dr. Nancy M. Capello, the nonprofit's leader and founder. "So we can pay for ultrasound screening for women in need."

Lisa Inc., a nonprofit that helps at-risk young people, is another group taking part in the event.

The Give Local fundraiser is in its sixth year and has raised more than $4.5 million. 

It began Tuesday morning at 7 a.m. and runs until 7 p.m. Wednesday.