The Mohawk Valley Giving Guide is a community-wide resource, powered by the Community Foundation of Herkimer and Oneida Counties, designed to bridge people looking to give with local nonprofit needs across our region.

Recent reports about national donor-advised fund (DAF) sponsors Fidelity Charitable, Vanguard Charitable, and Schwab Charitable/DAFgiving360 have sparked important conversations across the philanthropic community regarding donor intent and the freedom to give to the causes you care about most.

The Community Foundation of Herkimer and Oneida Counties and UpMobility Foundation are pleased to announce that the fifth-annual online day of giving, “Mohawk Valley Gives,” will take place on Friday, September 18, benefiting nonprofits serving Herkimer, Oneida, and Otsego counties. Nonprofit organizations interested in participating must complete a brief registration form at givemv.org between Monday, April 27, and Sunday, May 31. 

Charitable Checking Accounts simplify the giving process by keeping donations and grant recommendations organized in one secure place. Through the Community Foundation of Herkimer and Oneida Counties, donors can easily support the nonprofits they care about while reducing administrative hassle.

Charitable giving is meaningful, but the logistics can sometimes feel complicated. For donors across Herkimer and Oneida counties, tracking receipts, choosing where to give, and organizing documentation during tax season can delay even the best intentions.

The Community Foundation of Herkimer and Oneida Counties concluded another impactful year of community investment in 2025, awarding more than $17.9 million in grants, scholarships, and emergency relief funds—the highest total distributed in a single year in the Foundation’s nearly 75-year history. Donations received in 2025 totaled over $24 million, marking the strongest year on record in terms of dollars raised.

For many, the end of the year represents a time of reflection and gratitude, and an opportunity to give back. But it’s also the most strategic time for donors to make charitable contributions that not only do good in the community but also make financial sense.

Through the Helpful Harvest Grant Round, supported by the Helpful Harvest Fund, the Community Foundation of Herkimer and Oneida Counties awarded over $106,000 to 44 human service organizations including food pantries, soup kitchens, shelters, and others to help alleviate food insecurity and support increased need around the holiday season and colder months.

In the second and third quarters of 2025, the Community Foundation of Herkimer and Oneida Counties awarded more than $7.7 million, which is comprised of grants to nonprofits, scholarships to students, and support for those impacted by the June 2025 severe weather that impacted Clark Mills, the Town of Kirkland, and surrounding areas. Grants were awarded primarily in the areas of human services, arts and culture, education, and animals.