By Kate Bartlett
This year marks the 8th annual Cattaraugus Gives charity event, traditionally held on Giving Tuesday, the Tuesday following Thanksgiving. This 24-hour giving event supports nonprofits in the area and has raised a cumulative total of $1,673,124 over the past 8 years. This year, the event raised a remarkable $296,429 in just one day, Tuesday, December 3.
Tyler Veno is the Communications and Fund Development Manager for The Cattaraugus Foundation and is happy to report another incredibly successful year. “Cattaraugus Gives is a great opportunity for the community to come together and support its own local agencies. Historically, it has been a very successful regional day of giving for our community, and this year was no different.”
The event started small in 2017, and has grown substantially over the years. “It has become an important event in our community,” says Tyler. It brings together area nonprofits of any service area, size, or mission in friendly competition to celebrate the community’s spirit of giving. “We encourage all non-profits to register,” says Tyler. “We have a wide variety of organizations ranging from small and local, to large, nationwide agencies, but all have a direct impact on our community.”
This year, 96 nonprofits registered, just beating last year’s record 95 registered agencies. 91 organizations received donations, setting a record for the most organizations receiving gifts. At the 24-hour mark, 1,355 donors made contributions, totaling $307,882. This exceeds last year’s total of $306,567, nearly beating the record of $358,772 set in 2021.
“Every year we are amazed at the generosity that Cattaraugus Gives sparks and this year is no different,” says Kirk Windus, Executive Director of The Cattaraugus Foundation. “This is our second-highest total ever for Cattaraugus Gives, and it will be exciting to see the participating nonprofits put these hard-earned funds into action. It is a privilege for CRCF to lead this day of giving each year.”
The Giving fundraiser kicks off at midnight on giving Tuesday every year. Donors directly contribute any amount of money online to the cause they wish to support. No amount is too little, it all adds up to make a big difference. Anyone can donate, including single contributions and larger scale business donations.
This year’s prizes totaled $21,200. As well as a signed Gregory Rousseau mini helmet and a signed Rasmus Dahlin photo. Prizes are awarded hourly once organizations meet a certain criterion, and all that hit their donation requirement are entered in a raffle for further prizes. Additional prizes are awarded for social media campaign and youth enrichment programming.
Cattaraugus Gives demonstrates the power of grass-roots fundraising. “It’s truly such a great event and that I’m proud to be a part of,” says Tyler. “It’s a great opportunity for community to come together and support our non-profits, who have contributed so much to our area.”
No matter how big or small the monetary donation, the cumulative effect has a big impact on the community. Cattaraugus Gives is a true celebration of giving.
For more information on visit cattaraugusgives.org or contact Tyler Veno tyler@cattfoundation.org.