NEPA Gives Raises Over $1.24 Million in 24 Hours The Scranton Area Community Foundation is proud to announce that on Friday, June 4, 2021—in just 24 hours—218 local nonprofit organizations worked together to collectively raise a total of $1,246,121 for NEPA Gives, surpassing its $1 million dollar goal. NEPA Gives was hosted by the Scranton Area Community Foundation, in partnership with The Luzerne Foundation, Greater Pike Community Foundation, Wayne County Community Foundation, Carbon County Community Foundation, The Community Foundation of the Endless Mountains, the Northeastern Pennsylvania Nonprofit & Community Assistance Center (NCAC), and other community sponsors to raise awareness about the critical work nonprofit organizations carry out across the region and to help charitable organizations raise much-needed funds, especially during these challenging times. “In this second year of NEPA Gives, we are overwhelmed by the incredible generosity of the people of the Northeastern Pennsylvania region,” stated Laura Ducceschi, President and CEO of the Scranton Area Community Foundation. “We believe that especially now, during these challenging post-pandemic recovery times, it was important to provide an opportunity for nonprofits to raise much-needed funds to support their efforts, and we are grateful that the generous people in Northeastern Pennsylvania responded so well.” NEPA Gives, which accepted donations online at nepagives.org on Friday, made history as the single largest day of philanthropy in Northeastern Pennsylvania for the second year in a row. A handful of checks and offline donations are still coming in, so the total will likely increase in the coming days ahead. Over 5,766 donors generously supported NEPA Gives. NEPA Gives was also generously supported by numerous sponsors including Moses Taylor Foundation, DiscoverNEPA, Cumulus Media, Shamrock Communications, Hawk Family Foundation, Schwartz Mack Foundation, Women in Philanthropy, the NEPA Animal Welfare Collaborative, the William G. McGowan Charitable Fund, and many others. Adding to the momentum, over $450,000 in prizes and matching incentives were awarded to participating nonprofits for notable achievements, all sponsored by generous businesses, foundations, and donors across the region. 218 nonprofit organizations from across eight counties in Northeastern Pennsylvania participated in the 24-hour fundraising event including The Diocese of Scranton, Equines For Freedom, NeighborWorks Northeastern PA, Women’s Resource Center, Countryside Conservancy, St. Joseph’s Center, Everhart Museum of Natural History, Science, and Art, and United Neighborhood Centers of Northeastern Pennsylvania. To celebrate the historical and monumental giving day, Scranton Mayor Paige Cognetti made an official proclamation declaring June 4, 2021, as NEPA Gives Day. During the day on Friday, a small handful of host sponsors and community guests gathered at the Hilton Scranton Hotel & Conference Center to broadcast a live-streamed event with updates and excitement which aired on nepagives.org throughout the day. The Scranton Area Community Foundation partnered with Scranton-based team Posture Interactive to host the live broadcast. This was the second year for NEPA Gives. Last year, NEPA Gives raised over half a million dollars for 167 nonprofit organizations. To learn more about #NEPAGives, visit nepagives.org or contact Brittany Pagnotti, Communications Manager of the Scranton Area Community Foundation at 570-347-6203.
NEPA Gives Appeal Letter From the HRC It goes without saying that the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has been widespread and unforgiving. While the health and wellbeing of both those we serve and those we work alongside are paramount, we must also face the financial impact the coronavirus has left in its wake. The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in the cancellation of Diversity Rocks, HRF’s annual fundraising event, for two consecutive years. Donations generated through Diversity Rocks fund both community-giving initiatives and HRC programs, all of which support individuals with disabilities. For 2021, it was necessary to consider an alternate way to fundraise without risking the health and safety of our community. Together, HRC and HRF have decided to partner with NEPA Gives for 2021:HRC as a participating organization, and HRF as a supporting foundation. NEPA Gives is a multi-county, completely virtual fundraising opportunity. Nonprofits seek to raise funds in a one-day-only event, hosted by several local community foundations. This year, HRC and HRF will join this event occurring virtually on June 4th, 2021 at nepagives.org. We ask once again for your help to continue serving and supporting individuals with disabilities in our community. Thank you for your generous donation and assistance. To donate, go to: www.nepagives.org/organizations/hrcinc and click “donate”. Sincerely, John J. Martin Esq. Brian Wilken Board Chairman, HRC Board President, HRF