YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – Your passion may be education, the arts, helping the disadvantaged or looking out for homeless pets.
Whatever it is, Giving Tuesday provides an opportunity to support the agencies and organizations doing the work to address those needs and fill the gaps in the community.
“I think awareness is probably important for any nonprofit,” says Mike Latessa, executive director of the Rich Center for Autism in Youngstown. “So anytime you have an opportunity for your organization [to participate] in a nationally recognized environment, like Giving Tuesday, that helps [in] promoting your mission, promoting your needs. That’s the first major component of Giving Tuesday. It’s just helping us raise awareness of our mission.”
Giving Tuesday – observed the Tuesday after Thanksgiving – is Dec. 3. It’s a movement, spread across six continents, that began in 2012. The event was started in New York City at the 92nd Street YMCA and its Belfer Center for Innovation & Social Impact, according to the Giving Tuesday website.
“Giving Tuesday is now an independent nonprofit and a global movement that inspires hundreds of millions of people to give, collaborate, and celebrate generosity,” the site says.
Latessa estimates that the Rich Center, which serves the autism community, has been participating in Giving Tuesday for as long as 10 years. Over that time, about $10,000 has been raised for the center, the director says. Mostly, participation includes social media campaigns and emails.
“It’s just another important day to recognize the great things that our staff and support mechanisms do to support our students within the autism community,” he says.
Assisting a child on the autism spectrum can be difficult for families, and they need support and assistance, the executive director offers. It can be challenging mentally, financially and in other ways.
“And so, seeing the care and dedication that our staff and all the great supportive agencies in the area put forth to assist these families and help them navigate autism is just tremendous,” Latessa says.
COMMUNITY FOUNDATION
Many other Mahoning Valley nonprofits benefit from Giving Tuesday through the Community Foundation of the Mahoning Valley.
Last year more than 1,000 people donated as part of the Community Foundation of the Mahoning Valley’s Giving Tuesday and Beyond campaign, helping raise more than $235,000 for local nonprofits.
During that campaign, donations to agency funds at the Community Foundation were matched up to $2,000 per fund, as well as a $100 bonus for each unique donor to a fund during the campaign’s first week.
In a news release, CFMV says this year it’s committing $50,000 to match donations to its 40 agency funds.
“[The] foundation will boost each donation of at least $10, providing an extra $25 for every unique donor to a fund – turning the minimum donation into a $35 contribution,” the news release explains. “But the support doesn’t end there.”
For the other days between Dec. 2 and Dec. 8, the foundation will match donations dollar for dollar, up to $1,250 for each agency fund.
“We were astounded to have such an incredible response to Giving Tuesday and Beyond last year and we’re just as excited to see what the Mahoning Valley community does this year,” says Casey Krell, CFMV president.
“With an average gift of $20, last year’s campaign showed that anyone can be a philanthropist. All it takes is giving back to a cause that you care about, whether that’s with a few dollars as you can afford it, volunteering or spreading the word about their work,” she says.
The Giving Tuesday matching program is supported by the Arnett Family Fund, established by the estate of Diana R. Arnett to support education, the arts and underserved communities in the Mahoning Valley.
Beginning Dec. 2, donations may be made online at CFMV.org/agency-funds or by mailing a check to the Community Foundation of the Mahoning Valley, 201 E. Commerce St. Suite 150, Youngstown 44503, with the agency fund’s name in the memo line.
PROGRAMS FOR CHILDREN
The United Way of Trumbull County is one of the agencies that benefits from Giving Tuesday through CFMV. President and CEO Christine Cope says one of the ways the agency uses the funds raised through Giving Tuesday is its school pantries.
“It’s not just food,” she says. “It’s food, clothing, shoes, essentials, hygiene products.”
United Way offers other programs for children too.
Its Ready, Set, Go program is a two-week summer intervention program for children needing extra reading help to pass the Ohio Third Grade Reading Test.
Teachers in school districts that participate in the program identify students who need assistance at the end of second grade. Certified teachers help provide the reading support required to meet the needs of their cohort of students.
The agency plans to continue its campaign through the end of the year.
BUILDING HOMES
Habitat for Humanity of the Mahoning Valley’s executive director says the organization is getting more involved with Giving Tuesday this year than in previous campaigns. Last year was David Redig’s first in the position and while the organization asked for donations through social media posts, it wasn’t a big push.
“This year, we’re being more strategic,” Redig notes.
Habitat is also working through the Community Foundation.
“We want to max that out, to connect with donors,” the executive director says.
Last year was a big year for the organization, which built its first home in several years. That home went to the Calderon family of Salem.
Habitat also rebuilt a home in Youngstown last year.
Redig said the organization serves Mahoning, Trumbull and Columbiana counties and is being intentional about working in each. He expects Habitat will build a home in Warren next year followed by one in Boardman the following year before returning to Columbiana County to build another.
Families and individuals in need of housing apply to the organization, which considers three factors: an applicant’s level of need, their willingness to partner with Habitat and the ability to pay the mortgage through an affordable plan. Families and individuals participate in the building of their homes.
Besides building homes, the organization also operates two ReStore locations – one in Struthers and the other in Salem. ReStores sell new and gently used furniture, appliances and building materials to the general public. Prices are below retail.
HELP FOR ANIMALS
Angels for Animals in Beaver Township also benefits from the Community’s Giving Tuesday campaign. Co-founder Diane Less says the money raised goes into the animal shelter’s general operating fund.
“What we’re raising money for right now is our warmth and comfort campaign to renovate the shelter,” she says.
The 23-year-old shelter houses cats and dogs awaiting adoption, and offers educational programming and veterinary, pet cremation and grooming services. Its property includes Andrews Hall, an event center that is available to rent.
The organization is in the process of replacing heating/ventilation and air conditioning units. The roof also needs to be replaced, Less notes.
Tails of Hope, a nonprofit spay/neuter clinic in Hermitage, Pa., is participating in Giving Tuesday through its own campaign. Sponsors are the family of Dr. Jennifer Turner and Diane O’Brien Webster. They’re matching dollar for dollar up to $2,000 until Dec. 3. The campaign aims to help keep families and pets together.
THE ARTS
At the Hoyt Center for the Arts in New Castle, Pa., Melissa Maiella, marketing director, says donors may choose from youth programs, class scholarships, public art/murals, collections and exhibits, and community outreach during the center’s Giving Tuesday drive. Those interested may donate online, indicating the area to which they want their contribution allotted.
“This is actually the first year we’re doing this specific activity or this specific drive,” she adds.
Last fiscal year, the Hoyt served 22,345 people. It’s after-school programs are free to Lawrence County students in first through sixth grades. Students attend Tuesdays and Thursdays, with time allotted for homework and art projects. Snacks are provided.
“We do a lot of community outreach in the area as well,” Maiella says.
YMCA OF YOUNGSTOWN
Beth Scheller, president/CEO of the YMCA of Youngstown, says in an emailed statement that the organization has participated in Giving Tuesday since 2019, “raising over $120,000 for the YMCA Financial Assistance Program.”
The program helps to cover membership and program fees for those in need.
“Giving Tuesday is a global celebration of philanthropy, and the YMCA uses this day to showcase its impact on youth, adults, families and seniors in our community,” Scheller explains. “The YMCA is a place of possibility and promise for everyone, and we cannot achieve our goals alone.”
Donations may be made at ymcayo.org.
Pictured at top: The Hoyt Center for the Arts free after-school program serves students in first through sixth grades. The center is seeking donations this Giving Tuesday.