Featured News - Current News - Archived News - News Categories

5th annual 'Spring It On' fundraising campaign raises $135,501 for 155 agencies

Submitted

Thu, Mar 16th 2017 01:25 pm

United Way extends giving period until end of March to compensate for winter storm's impact on 24-hour online giving campaign

In a show of generosity and support for the fifth straight year, 1,870 local donors opened their wallets and gave over $135,501 to 155 nonprofits participating in "Spring It On," a 24-hour online fundraising event powered by the United Way of Buffalo and Erie County. The campaign ran from 6 p.m. Tuesday through 6 p.m. Wednesday. It beat last year's total of $132,000.

Despite strong results, many nonprofits were hampered in their promotional efforts, and the community was preoccupied with other issues due to Winter Storm Stella. In response, the United Way will extend the opportunity to continue to donate to "Spring It On" until the end of the month to allow nonprofits to collect the donations they may have received if the weather had been more springlike.

The event's goal is to mobilize citizens for a single day of giving to strengthen and support the community. Individuals were able to make a one-time, secure, online donation to the local not-for-profit agency of choice through a specially designed website, www.springiton.org. A celebration party, open to the public, will be held from 5-7:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 21, at Big Ditch Brewing Co.

Nonprofit organizations supporting a myriad of populations and issues were able to garner support for their specific needs, including those supporting refugees, seniors, women's health, animals and youth. The International Institute was the top fundraiser, with more than $18,000 in donations.

The United Way has provided the online giving platform to nonprofits of all types and sizes since 2013, providing a cost-effective, one-day boost to raise critical funds to advance mission, while highlighting the significant contributions made by the variety of nonprofit organizations in the community. "Spring It On" includes participating organizations in Erie, Niagara, Chautauqua, Allegany and Orleans counties. Including this year's totals, "Spring It On" has generated a total of $634,000 since its inception to support nearly 250 agencies serving diverse populations.

Michael Weiner, president and CEO of the United Way of Buffalo & Erie County, said, "Western New York continues its reputation for generosity and compassion as demonstrated by the strong results for 'Spring It On' once again. After five years, 'Spring It On' has truly become a significant tool for many agencies to raise funds, particularly those smaller organizations that simply do not have the resources to mount this kind of campaign. The United Way is happy to provide the platform, but it is truly the agencies that bring the campaign to life through their imaginative and effective online outreach."

For more information on the United Way of Buffalo and Erie County, visit www.uwbec.org.

Hometown News

View All News