MOHAWK VALLEY — The spirit of generosity was on full display this past Friday as Mohawk Valley Gives, the region’s fourth annual community giving campaign, returned with a record-breaking showing.
This year’s fundraising effort raised $6,590,169 in donations from 8,181 donors with 14,192 individual gifts supporting 369 local nonprofit organizations.
Organized by the Community Foundation of Herkimer and Oneida Counties, the initiative has grown rapidly since its launch in 2022. In just four years, Mohawk Valley Gives has generated more than $14 million to support a wide range of causes in the region, including arts and culture, health and human services, education, animal welfare, and community development.
“This year’s event was the biggest one yet. We just are truly blown away,” said Kayla Ellis, director of marketing and communications at the Community Foundation. “We’re thrilled with the outcome of the event, being able to celebrate the power of local generosity, and getting the community really involved in supporting our area’s nonprofits.”
The campaign’s growth has been exponential, from just over $600,000 raised in 2022 for 130 organizations to $2.4 million in 2023 benefiting over 250 nonprofits and over $5 million last year for over 300 participants. This year continued the rising trend in donations, with over $6.5 million supporting 369 causes across the Mohawk Valley.
The official giving day took place on Friday, Sept. 20, but early donations were accepted throughout the week. Matching donation challenges sponsored by local businesses and partners also played a key role in boosting fundraising totals.
“We always say that this community is so generous and so giving and so willing to help, and Mohawk Valley gives year after year, (which) just proves that time and time again,” Ellis said. “This community really shows up and shows out, and we are feeling it, and we’re really getting amped up already for next year.”
All donations made through Mohawk Valley Gives remain in the region, directly supporting the organizations chosen by donors. With community enthusiasm growing each year, organizers say they are already looking ahead to 2026 with excitement and gratitude.
