How You Can Support Local Nonprofits Through Mohawk Valley Gives

On September 20, the Community Foundation of Herkimer and Oneida Counties and UpMobility Foundation are hosting the third annual Mohawk Valley Gives— a 24-hour community-wide day of giving— that will bring people together to support over 320 nonprofit organizations doing great work in the region.

Launched in 2022, this event gives donors the opportunity to engage with nonprofits in a variety of ways, including sponsoring prizes, starting a fundraiser, or simply making a donation.

In its first year, the success of the event quickly proved its potential, with more than 135 organizations participating and over $630,000 raised.

“We were just coming off of the pandemic,” said Kristen Smith, fund and systems strategist at the Community Foundation. “Organizations were in need of funding but holding a full blown fundraising event was something I think many people were still a bit skeptical about. People were still keeping some physical distance so this opportunity to host an online day of giving that all local nonprofits could benefit from was an interesting concept to us but we really didn’t know what to expect.”

In its second year, the event saw even more growth, with partner campaigns like the Staffworks Save a Life campaign, which matched donations for a select number of participating animal welfare organizations. All in all, the event united 255 organizations and generated $2.48 million—all of which went directly to the nonprofits that raised those dollars.

According to Mohawk Valley Gives donor Robert Bojanek, choosing which nonprofits to support often depends on your values and areas of interest—a consideration that has been thoughtfully integrated into the www.givemv.org nonprofit search engine on the website’s homepage, making it easy for donors to support cause areas that are important to them. The site also features a “shopping cart” where donors can give to as many organizations as they would like in one simple and easy transaction.

Bojanek, a native of Rome, is the co-founder of The Shoreline Group, LLC., and is no stranger to giving back. Since retiring in 2016, Robert and his wife Kathy have dedicated themselves to supporting organizations focused on food insecurity and education. The two established a donor-advised fund (DAF) at the Community Foundation in 2015 and have supported the Mohawk Valley Gives campaign through that fund.

“Through our donor-advised fund, we are able to set up matches for the nonprofits we plan to support. If they receive donations during the Mohawk Valley Gives giving period, our fund will match those donations dollar for dollar. This not only increases the total amount raised but also encourages more contributions. That is what I love most about the giving day— it ensures that my donation achieves maximum financial impact in my field of interest.”
 
And the best part about the giving day? Every dollar counts. The minimum donation amount is just $5.00 and every dollar raised helps organizations get one step closer to fulfilling matches, unlocking challenges, winning cash prizes that are awarded to participating organizations on September 20, or simply raising money to support their mission.

As Mohawk Valley Gives approaches its third year, the event continues to showcase the power of collective philanthropy by providing a unique opportunity for donors to make a substantial impact in their community.

To support local nonprofits during Mohawk Valley Gives, be sure to visit  www.givemv.org on Friday, September 20 to donate.

Article originally published in the Daily Sentinel on August 30, 2024.