Monthlong Effort to Culminate With ‘315Day’ of Giving on Monday, March 15
WATERTOWN — A diverse group of 61 organizations have joined to participate in the 2021 #giveNNY campaign, a local effort that unites tri-county nonprofits in a day of giving on “315Day,” Monday, March 15.
From human services to health and wellness, arts and culture, conservation and environment, history, education, children and families, animal welfare, youth development, elder services, and recreation, this year’s participating nonprofits represent a wide range of unique missions that collectively strengthen the region and make Northern New York a special place to live, work and play.
All nonprofits in Jefferson, Lewis, and St. Lawrence counties were invited to participate as campaign partners. The following agencies are coming together to support their work in the North Country:
- ACR Health, Watertown
- Carthage Area Hospital Foundation
- Chapin Living Waters Foundation, Watertown
- Claxton-Hepburn Medical Center Foundation, Ogdensburg
- Clayton Opera House (TIPAF), Clayton
- Community Action Planning Council (CPAC) of Jefferson County, Watertown
- Constable Hall Association, Constableville
- Credo Community Center for the Treatment of Addictions, Watertown
- Disabled Persons Action Organization (DPAO), Watertown
- Family Counseling Services of NNY, Watertown
- Frederic Remington Art Museum, Ogdensburg
- Girl Scouts of NYPENN Pathways, Watertown
- Gwen’s Food Pantry, LaFargeville
- Hearts for Youth, Alexandria Bay
- Henderson Harbor Water Sports Programs
- Indian River Lakes Conservancy, Redwood
- Ives Hill Retirement Community, Watertown
- Jefferson County Historical Society, Watertown
- Jefferson County SPCA, Watertown
- JRC Foundation, Watertown
- Lyme Heritage Center, Three Mile Bay
- Massena Free Community Meal
- Massena Meals on Wheels
- New Day Children’s Center, Watertown
- New Hope Transformation House Ministries (Grace House), Canton
- New York FFA Leadership Foundation, Croghan
- North Country Arts Council, Watertown
- North Country Children’s Museum, Potsdam
- North Country Family Health Center, Watertown
- North Country Prenatal/Perinatal Council, Watertown
- Northern Regional Center for Independent Living (NRCIL), Watertown
- Ogdensburg Boys & Girls Club
- Ogdensburg Command Performances
- Orchestra of Northern New York, Potsdam
- PIVOT (Alcohol & Substance Abuse Council of Jefferson County), Watertown
- Planned Parenthood of the North Country NY, Watertown
- Police Activities League of Massena
- Potsdam Holiday Fund
- Resolution Center of Jefferson & Lewis Counties, Watertown
- Roswell P. Flower Memorial Library, Watertown
- Samaritan Medical Center Foundation, Watertown
- Save The River, Clayton
- Sci-Tech Center of Northern New York, Watertown
- Society of the United Helpers, Ogdensburg
- St. Lawrence County Arts Council, Potsdam
- St. Lawrence County Historical Association, Canton
- Thousand Islands Area Habitat for Humanity, Watertown
- Thousand Islands Arts Center, Clayton
- Thousand Islands Land Trust, Clayton
- Tug Hill Tomorrow Land Trust, Watertown
- United Way of Northern New York, Watertown
- UP! Coalition of Lewis County (Mountain View Prevention Services), Lowville
- Victims Assistance Center of Jefferson County, Watertown
- Volunteer Transportation Center, Watertown
- Wanakena Historical Association
- Watertown Family YMCA
- Watertown Lyric Theater
- Watertown Urban Mission
- Wilderness Health Care Foundation, Star Lake
- WPBS-TV, Watertown
- Zoo New York, Watertown
The Northern New York Community Foundation has pledged support to the #giveNNY campaign this year, committing $10,000 to match gifts made during the effort. Participating organizations benefit through an equal share of gifts made to the campaign awarded as grants from the Community Foundation. The Foundation is also stewarding all gifts made to the #giveNNY 315Day campaign with opportunities to donate online or through traditional methods.
An online giving portal will be open for donors at nnycf.org beginning Feb. 15. Gifts may also be mailed to 131 Washington St., Watertown, NY 13601. Visit nnycf.org/givenny to learn more about the history of #giveNNY and how it has provided more than $32,000 in direct support to tri-county nonprofits since 2017.
“Now more than ever, we want to be able to help organizations address the unmet needs of our region. We believe this effort can partner with donor generosity to give an added boost,” said Rande Richardson, Northern New York Community Foundation executive director. “We are encouraged that the participants represent a wide range of interests and impact in all three counties and that we can double gifts to help sustain their work and mission.”
The campaign, returning for its fourth year, kicks off Monday, Feb. 15, and culminates with a day of radio broadcast on Tunes 92.5 FM on Monday, March 15, from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Several events to drive awareness and support for the effort are planned during the weeks leading up to “315Day.” All campaign activities will be conducted with health and safety in mind as the region continues to confront the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Follow the campaign on social media at facebook.com/givelocalNNY for activities and opportunities to participate.
Jennifer Hodge, development director and corporate compliance officer for the Volunteer Transportation Center, has led the campaign to unite and aid local nonprofits since it began.
“We can do so much more when we come together for the greater good of the community. This grassroots movement has grown to provide meaningful support to nonprofits across the tri-county region,” #giveNNY founder Jennifer Cross-Hodge said. “The past year has been challenging for nonprofits, especially as the need to provide critical and essential services has grown in the wake of a global pandemic. Our new campaign, ‘315Day,’ will focus on inspiring giving in our communities and foster collaboration amongst participating nonprofits.”
The #giveNNY initiative began in 2017 as a community-based, grassroots effort to unite tri-county nonprofits in a local day of giving. A campaign was not held in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The event team is grateful to partner once again with the Community Foundation to help grow the effort and expand its reach.
In 2019, 27 nonprofit organizations from Jefferson, Lewis, and St. Lawrence counties answered the call to join the #giveNNY campaign as a way of putting community philanthropy above the individual interests of each organization. Gifts from more than 115 individuals, families and businesses, and a Northern New York Community Foundation matching grant, lifted the 2019 campaign to a record $24,375 in support to participating nonprofits.
About the Northern New York Community Foundation
Since 1929, the Northern New York Community Foundation has invested in improving and enriching the quality of life for all in communities across Jefferson, Lewis, and St. Lawrence counties.
Through partnerships with businesses and organizations, charitable foundations, and generous families and individual donors, the Community Foundation awards grants and scholarships from an endowment and collection of funds that benefit the region. Its commitment to donors helps individuals achieve their charitable objectives now and for generations to come by preserving and honoring legacies of community philanthropy while inspiring others.
The Community Foundation is a resource for local charitable organizations, donors, professional advisors, and nonprofit organizations. It also works to bring people together at its permanent home in the Northern New York Philanthropy Center to discuss challenges our communities face and find creative solutions that strengthen the region and make it a great place to live, work, and play.