Mohawk Valley Gives Charts its Biggest Year Yet with $6.5M+ Raised for Area Nonprofits

The Community Foundation of Herkimer and Oneida Counties and UpMobility Foundation hosted the fourth annual “Mohawk Valley Gives,” on September 19, to raise funds for local nonprofits serving Herkimer, Oneida and Otsego counties. The community came together and raised over $6.5 million thanks to contributions from more than 8,100 donors, making it a record-breaking year for the campaign. Of the 382 organizations that participated in the giving event, 369 received one or more donations. 

Community-driven matches and challenges sparked excitement across the region, motivating both nonprofits and their supporters. Numerous organizations benefited from generous match opportunities provided by UpMobility Foundation and the Staffworks Save a Life Campaign—allowing them to multiply their donations one, two, or even threefold during the giving day. 

Over 14,100 donations, ranging from $5 to $1M, came in from 42 states and the District of Columbia, as well as five countries, contributing to the final tally. Anita Vitullo and her Staffworks Fund at the Community Foundation were once again inspired to make a $1M donation to Anita’s Stevens Swan Humane Society. 

 The top earners for the giving day are as follows, and the full list of results can be found at givemv.org.  

·          Anita’s Stevens Swan Humane Society - $1M+ 

·          Abraham House - $146,000+ 

·          Notre Dame Schools - $142,000+ 

“We continue to be amazed by the community’s passion and growing support for Mohawk Valley Gives—it truly gets stronger every year, and we can feel it,” said Alicia Dicks, president/CEO of the Community Foundation of Herkimer and Oneida Counties. “Our nonprofit partners are doing impactful work that touches lives across the area, and this event gives people a meaningful way to give back to the causes they care about. Mohawk Valley Gives is a powerful celebration of local generosity, community involvement, and the vital role nonprofits play in making our region a better place for all.”  

“It was a privilege to once again collaborate with the Community Foundation for the 2025 Mohawk Valley Gives campaign,” said Amy Lindner, interim executive director of UpMobility Foundation. “This day of giving truly showcases the ripple effect that matched donations can have. Every match helped amplify the impact of each gift, turning individual generosity into a powerful, united effort. We’re proud to be part of something that will create meaningful, long-term change throughout the Mohawk Valley.” 

Throughout the week leading up to the giving day, Mohawk Valley Gives team members visited five randomly selected organizations and surprised them with special items to benefit their organization and gifts to thank them for the incredible work they do in the community. The organizations that benefitted from these “Heartful Moment” visits were The Art Thing Collaborative, Copper City Community Connection, Apple Tree Preschool, It Takes A Village Diaper Bank and The Country Pantry.  

The Mohawk Valley Gives “Prize Patrol” returned this year, transporting MV Gives representatives and sponsors across the region to surprise winning organizations in true Publisher’s Clearing House style. At each stop, the Prize Patrol unveiled the recipients of the geographic-based jackpot prizes with a series of unexpected check presentations. Five lucky organizations each received a $1,000 check to commemorate the occasion. This year’s jackpot prize winners were Resource Center for Independent Living (RCIL), Mohawk Valley Community Action Agency (MVCAA), Mohawk Valley Institute for Learning in Retirement (MVILR), Valley Residential Services and The Creative Outpost.  

A luncheon celebrating the participating organizations was held at Saranac’s 1888 Biergarten on the giving day. This “Nonprofit Celebration” brought together over 100 representatives from various nonprofits. Attendees enjoyed live music, a photo booth, food and beverages, and helped announce prizes throughout the event. Throughout the course of the giving day, cash prizes, collectively totaling over $55,000, were awarded to participating nonprofit organizations thanks to support from Mohawk Valley Gives sponsors. All prize winners can be viewed at givemv.org/prizes.  

“Mohawk Valley Gives has been a tremendous help in empowering students in our community” said Kevin Marken, Utica director for On Point for College. “Whether it’s assisting lower income students, first-generation students, or students in between, the Community Foundation, UpMobility Foundation and MV Gives have been spectacular partners in getting our name out there so we can further assist families in need. Our goal is to help every student that comes our way, and MV Gives has given us the ability to continue to provide support to students now and for years to come.” 

Mohawk Valley Gives is powered by the Community Foundation of Herkimer and Oneida Counties and UpMobility Foundation, presented by Staffworks and M&T Bank and made possible by the following sponsors: Utica National Insurance Group, Bank of Utica, Bank of America, Mele Family Fund of the Community Foundation, First Source Federal Credit Union, Berkshire Bank, Caruso McLean Investment Advisors, Griffin Charitable Foundation, Clinton Tractor, Assured Information Security, AmeriCU Credit Union, NBT Bank, Express Employment Professionals, Pacemaker Steel, Pulver Roofing, S. Lennon & Company Jewelers, Mohawk Valley Materials, and Newport Telephone. The event received in-kind support from Woodland Farm Brewery, PJ Green, Greater Utica Chamber of Commerce, FMN Creative, Lafa Mediterranean by Zeina’s, F.X. Matt Brewing, Hale Transportation, Latte Love, and media partners, Galaxy Media, Sentinel Media Company, Townsquare Media, and WKTV NewsChannel 2.    

 Mohawk Valley Gives is set to return in September 2026! To learn more about the giving day, visit givemv.org.