FAIRBANKS — The community is coming together, in large and small ways, to make sure the 2012 Yukon Quest International Sled Dog Race has the money it needs.

After announcing last Wednesday that the organization was short money for the purse and expenses, donations have been filtering in to Quest headquarters in both Fairbanks and Whitehorse.

Enough money has come in that the Quest confirmed it will be able to pay out the $150,000 purse to the top 15 finishers.

More than a dozen individuals and organizations have stepped up, including $5,000 from Fairbanks Memorial Hospital and $10,000 from Kinross Fort Knox. In Whitehorse, White Pass and Yukon Route railroad confirmed its donation of $3,000.

While the purse total has been confirmed, the race is still in need of $125,000 in race expenses.

Lorna Shaw, community and government affairs manager for Fort Knox, said Fort Knox has sponsored Quest mushers and kennels over the years but had never come on as an official Quest sponsor. Shaw said it made sense to come on as a sponsor considering the traditions dog mushing and gold mining share.

“(This sponsorship) is a good marrying of the two traditions,” she said.

Social media is playing a significant role in raising money. As of Monday night, more than $3,600 had been raised via Facebook and PayPal donations. Sue Thomas, executive director in the race’s Yukon office, has been monitoring the accounts and said that donations from as far away as Germany and Australia have been received through the accounts.

The Facebook fans have purchased both start and finish bibs and are on their way to “lead dog” sponsorship — the $5,000 level that includes potential street banners, chute banners and other recognition within the race.

It’s another part of the Quest fundraising efforts that include selling 1,000 $10 buttons, one for each mile of the race, and a Purse Party on Jan. 21.

For Fairbanks executive director Marti Steury, the outpouring of support is inspiring.

“It’s been humbling,” she said. “You forget that you’re the steward of something bigger than you, part of something bigger than yourself.”

Contact features editor Suzanna Caldwell at 459-7504 or follow on Twitter @FDNMQuest.