UTICA — The Community Foundation of Herkimer and Oneida Counties hosted its first 24-hour day of giving, “Mohawk Valley Gives,” on Tuesday to benefit local nonprofits serving the two counties.
According to foundation officials, the community came together and raised more than $600,000 in 24 hours from more than 1,800 donors who gave over 2,800 individual donations. These numbers are expected to continue to climb as donations will be accepted until Friday, Sept. 30, at www.givemv.org.
According to the givemv.org website, 136 area non-profit organizations received donations with the top earners for the giving day as follows:
- Anita’s Stevens Swan Humane Society – $38,595;
- The Project Fibonacci Foundation –$38,203;
- Mohawk Valley Center for the Arts – $23,705;
- Utica Zoo — $17,530;
- The House of the Good Shepherd — $16,832;
- Central Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired — $14,745;
- Herkimer County Humane Society — $14,395;
- Sculpture Space, Inc. $13,850;
- SUNY Polytechnic Institute Foundation — $13,560; and
- The Stanley Theatre — $11,731.
“To say that our community showed up for this giving day would be a total understatement,” said Alicia Fernandez Dicks, president/CEO of the Community Foundation. “This was our first year of Mohawk Valley Gives, and we are blown away by the enormous generosity shown by thousands of individuals and the amazing work that nonprofits did to solicit support for their organizations.”
Throughout the course of the day, the Community Foundation awarded more than 70 prizes to participating nonprofits with the generous support of Mohawk Valley Gives sponsors, as well as members of its Board of Trustees.
Organizations also accessed matches and challenges throughout the day to add to their total dollars raised.
“Mohawk Valley Gives greatly exceeded our expectations. We were amazed at the planning, preparation, and coordination the Community Foundation put into this event,” said Dana Kelsey, assistant director of 4 Elements Studio. “Because of this, 4 Elements Studio was able to extend our outreach and gain new supporters. We are truly humbled by the generosity our community showed to us, and our fellow area nonprofits. With the funds raised from this giving day we will be able to positively impact more members of our community and continue pursuing our mission to make art accessible to everyone.”
A project of the Community Foundation, Mohawk Valley Gives was presented by Staffworks and M&T Bank and was made possible by the following sponsors: Rising Phoenix Holdings Corporation, Adirondack Bank, Bank of Utica, Semikron Danfoss, Berkshire Bank, The Mele Family Fund of the Community Foundation, Divine Development and Leadership, Lead Car Honda Yorkville, M.A. Polce, Baird, Birch Wealth Management, Kessler Promotions, C&D Advertising, Pulver Roofing, Newport Telephone, Snyder Fuel Service, Park Outdoor, PJ Green, New York Sash, Sentinel Media Company, Townsquare Media and WKTV NewsChannel 2.
Mohawk Valley Gives is set to become an annual giving day in the community.
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