by Jonathan Weaver
News that a local community foundation would not be continuing to sponsor the Armstrong County Day of Giving this May hit Richard G. Snyder YMCA CEO Joely Beeker hard last month.
“When we got the e-mail, it was startling news to all the nonprofits because a lot of us had already budgeted for that money. It was like ‘What are we going to do now?,” Beeker said.
But shortly after, Friends of the Kittanning Public Library President Robin Altman and Council Member Betsy Wilt walked into Beeker’s office with the same problem and came up with the solution to manage it together.
“Our biggest obstacle was trying to find somebody to collect the funds,” Beeker said. “As participating nonprofits, none of us (couldn’t) and shouldn’t be the ones to do that.”
And that problem was solved by NexTier Bank Chief Operations Officer Clem Rosenberger.
“NexTier Bank is strongly rooted in the communities that we serve throughout Western Pennsylvania. Being involved with the Day of Giving in Armstrong County is a great way that we can help the various non-profit organizations garner the financial support they need to carry out their missions,” Rosenberger wrote in a statement. “Our success is directly correlated to the growth and success of the communities that we all serve.”
In May 2015, nearly 2,200 local residents contributed more than $395,000 in gifts during the May Day of Giving before the match percentage kicked in, exceeding expectations.
In each of the past five years, more nonprofit organizations have participated – from 36 in 2011 to 60 last year.
“Everyone thinks about the Day of Giving now and the second Thursday in May – we didn’t want to change any of that. We just had to come up with a solution as to how to keep it going, Beeker said.
“The model was there. I went and talked to (Serving the Heart Executive Director Mindy Knappenberger) out of respect and said ‘Hey, we have a group that’s willing to continue this’ and she thought it was a great idea.”
The Richard G. Snyder YMCA raised the second-most money after the Day of Giving last year, nearly $31,000.
Last year, the Friends of Kittanning Public Library received more than $14,000 in community donations. Since May, Wilt said the Friends group has purchased new computers and other materials for the library, as well as landscaped the front of the North Jefferson Street building.
To promote donations and support last year, Friends of the Library gave hot dogs and refreshments to patrons on the Day of Giving.
Beeker said she was “proud” of the work the handful of community leaders have done so far and said there is more potential to grow.
Nonprofit organizations in or serving Armstrong County must complete a profile by April 30 on the YMCA’s website to be eligible, and submit a copy of their IRS Determination Letter and their signed participation agreement to the Richard G. Snyder YMCA Campus
Each approved organization is eligible to receive funds with no maximum limit for the organization.
According to the online rules, only gifts of $20 to $5,000 will be matched. No cash donations will be accepted.
The matching dollars will be pro-rated, and will depend upon the total amount of the Match Fund, and the total amount of donations received.
All qualifying donations – written to the participating nonprofit they would like to benefit - must be received on or postmarked on May 12.
Donations can be delivered or mailed to NexTier Bank at 222 Market Street in Kittanning.
