Valley residents stepped forward with generosity to make The Great Give® 2021 a huge success for area nonprofit organizations. The annual giving event raised $414,977 for 41 Valley nonprofits serving organizations in Ansonia, Derby, Oxford, Seymour and Shelton, and featured widespread support from residents and included new sponsorship engagement from local businesses.
A total of 1,247 Valley-based donors participated in the 36-hour giving event, which raised $3.35 million overall for 431 nonprofits across 20 towns in Greater New Haven.
“Once again, our Valley community has risen to the challenge and come out in support of Valley residents, especially our donor advised fundholders who increased their giving this year by 16 percent,” said Sharon Closius, President and CEO of the Valley Community Foundation. “I always find myself in awe during this event and am truly inspired by the outpouring of support for Valley nonprofits. There is no doubt that the Valley continues to be a very generous and community-minded region.”
Contributions made directly to the Valley Community Foundation during The Great Give® 2021 were applied toward Stepping Forward in the Valley activities, which include: the Valley Community COVID-19 Response and Recovery Fund, the 2021 Connecticut community well-being survey, 2022 Valley Community Index, and the Valley’s Collective Impact work addressing childhood poverty and other equity issues impacting the region.
The top Valley organizations by money raised was BHcare ($68,188), followed by Boys & Girls Club of the Lower Naugatuck Valley ($53,212) and Adam’s House ($42,475).
“We are so overwhelmed and humbled by the generosity of our community,” said Shaye Roscoe, Executive Director of the Boys & Girls Club of the Lower Naugatuck Valley.
Roscoe said the funding is much-needed support at a time when its summer camp programs have increased costs related to new imposed public health regulations because of the pandemic. The funds will also help support the club’s workforce development program for youth ages 5 to 18 years old.
“People are taking time out of their days to invest in a great cause. It’s very telling about the community we live in. The Valley does rally behind the organizations in our community so they can be there for everyone,” Roscoe said.
Adam’s House, a small Shelton nonprofit that supports families and children coping with the loss of a loved one, received support from several sponsorships including Sperry Rail, which offered a $10,000 match pool, Sony Corporation and donors.
“We are incredibly grateful because we had so many matching sponsors. Sperry Rail was a big game changer for our organization,” said Executive Director Alison Wysota. “People love to know that their money will be doubled.”
The funds, Wysota said, will allow more families free access to grief counseling services, easing an unexpected financial burden, especially for widowed parents who have suffered the additional blow of a significant income loss.
“Families have to come through therapy to be approved here and grief counseling is not a cost on their radar. This will help us keep our doors and provide free support for our families,” added Wysota.
The Valley Community Foundation is the second largest Great Give sponsor behind The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven, incentivizing local giving for the Valley by offering matching funds ($20,000 match pool) and prizes.
A community spirit ran throughout the campaign. The Valley Independent Sentinel hosted entertaining interviews with nonprofit leaders throughout the event while raising more than $14,000 for its own budget, and many nonprofits took to social media to engage and thank supporters.
Prizes awarded to Valley-based nonprofits:
$1,000: Valley Early Bird May 4 — St. Mary-St. Michael School
$1,500: Valley May the Fourth Be With You Happy Hour — Valley Independent Sentinel
$1,000: Valley Early Bird May 5 — Friends of the Ansonia Nature Center
$250: Valley Lunch Hour — Derby Historical Society
$1,500: You’ve Got Friends Valley Peer-to-Peer 1st — Center Stage
$1,000: You’ve Got Friends Valley Peer-to-Peer 2nd — Adam’s House
$ 500: Golden Ticket — St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Shop & Food Bank
