27 North Country Nonprofit Organizations Benefit from Gifts and Matching Grant
WATERTOWN — Generous gifts from more than 115 individuals, families and businesses, and a Northern New York Community Foundation matching grant, lifted the 2019 #giveNNY campaign to a new record of $24,375 to support nonprofits in Jefferson, Lewis and St. Lawrence counties.
Twenty-seven nonprofit organizations participated in the recent campaign, the most since the #giveNNY movement began three years ago. The local effort united tri-county nonprofits on the Dec. 3, 2019, #GivingTuesday, a global day of giving that harnessed the collective power of individuals, communities and organizations to encourage philanthropy and celebrate generous acts.
“The addition of the Community Foundation’s matching grant this year not only resulted in more support for local organizations, it also encouraged more gifts overall,” said Rande Richardson, Community Foundation executive director. “It gives us confidence to look for ways to expand upon it in the future, which we are currently assessing.”
For the first time, the Community Foundation matched all campaign gifts up to $10,000. Participating nonprofit organizations will receive an equal share of gifts to the campaign as grants from the Northern New York Community Foundation, awarded in the coming weeks. All gifts given and 100 percent of the matching grant will be distributed. The Community Foundation itself receives no portion of the total raised.
“The generosity our community has shown is a heartfelt testament to the amazingly caring souls who love the North Country,” said Jennifer Hodge, development director and corporate compliance officer for the Volunteer Transportation Center. Mrs. Hodge has led the #giveNNY movement to unite and aid local nonprofit agencies since it began.
“Participation of more nonprofit organizations led to greater donor response during the campaign. We should all be proud of the great place we call home as individuals, families and businesses help continue a tradition of neighbors helping neighbors,” Mrs. Hodge said.
A full day of radio broadcast on Tunes 92.5 FM/104.5 FM on #GivingTuesday capped a month-long campaign that included a series of special events coordinated and hosted by many participating nonprofits.
The following nonprofits are participated in this year’s campaign:
- ACR Health, Watertown
- Antique Boat Museum, Clayton
- Association of the Blind & Visually Impaired of NNY, Watertown
- Carthage Area Hospital Foundation, Carthage
- CHJC, Watertown
- Claxton-Hepburn Medical Center Foundation, Ogdensburg
- Clayton Opera House (TIPAF), Clayton
- CREDO Community Center, Watertown
- Hand In Hand Early Childhood Center, Lowville
- Hospice of Jefferson County, Watertown
- JRC Foundation, Watertown
- New Day Children’s Center, Watertown
- North Country Family Health Center, Watertown
- Orchestra of Northern New York, Potsdam
- Planned Parenthood of the North Country, Watertown
- Samaritan Medical Center Foundation, Watertown
- Save The River, Clayton
- SPCA of Jefferson County, Watertown
- St. Lawrence County Historical Association, Canton
- Thousand Islands Area Habitat for Humanity, Watertown
- Thousand Islands Land Trust, Clayton
- United Way of NNY, Watertown
- Volunteer Transportation Center, Watertown
- Watertown Family YMCA, Watertown
- Watertown Lyric Theater, Watertown
- Watertown Urban Mission, Watertown
- WPBS TV, Watertown
#giveNNY began in 2017 as a community-based, grassroots effort to unite tri-county nonprofits in a local day of giving on #GivingTuesday. Through the Community Foundation partnership, the campaign grew to expand its reach. An announcement about the #giveNNY 2020 campaign will be made later this year. Follow #giveNNY on Facebook at Facebook.com/givelocalnny to stay informed and learn more.
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.