The United Way of Mid Rural New York, exceeded its fundraising goals in 2025. The organization thank all the volunteers and donors. One of those group was NBT Bank. Pictured: United Way of Mid Rural New York Executive Director Elizabeth Monaco (third from the left) poses with representatives from NBT Bank, including  (from left to right) Scott Kingsley, Shauna Hyle, Brian Burton, Jennifer Telesky, Jason Town, Annette Burns and Joe Stagliano.(Submitted photo)

CHENANGO COUNTY – The United Way of Mid-Rural New York wrapped up their annual campaign on December 31st and for the first time in several years, they reached their goal by the New Year.

The 2025 campaign goal was set at $562,900, and as 2025 drew to a close, the organization had already raised $566,000.

United Way of Mid-Rural New York Executive Director Elizabeth Monaco explained that the goal does not represent the complete need of the community.

“The goal was based on average goals from the previous years. It’s not based on the total funding requested,” she said.

More than $800,000 in funding was requested from the local United Way this year.

Monaco said the campaign total is even expected to rise a bit more, as donations will continue to roll in until January 15th. Those funds will still be included in the 2025 campaign total as long as checks are dated no later than December 31st. With a couple business campaigns still to be tallied, the number will definitely increase. “I’m excited to see what the total is on January 15th.” According to Monaco it has been several years since the area was able to meet their campaign goal.

“The big difference this year was our county ambassadors,” Monaco said.

She explained that past and present board members helped deliver materials in each of the four counties represented by the Mid-Rural New York district. Ambassadors were the face of the campaign in each of the four counties, and it made a big difference.

“We also worked hard to be out and present in all four counties at as many events as possible,” Monaco said.

United Way staff worked to attend as many events physically or virtually as they possibly could in order to show their involvement.

Monaco said the SNAP benefit issue this fall brought to attention the challenges that many in our community are facing. She believes this is one reason people have increased their generosity. “People who have never donated before, donated this year.”

Mid-Rural New York covers Chenango, Madison, Delaware and Otsego Counties. Donations from each county are totaled up and those dollars stay within the county where they were raised. Allocation decisions will be finalized by January 31st.

The United Way funds 41 different programs within the four counties they serve. Organizations submit their funding requests and each application is scored using a rubric. Once funded, organizations are rescored every 6 months to see how they spent the money they received and the results they were able to achieve. If an organization did not do as well in their end of year report, they won’t get as much funding this year. If they scored well, they might get the same amount as last year or possibly more. In March the United Way will release their annual report to show all the programs being funded and the achievements they have made so the community can see exactly what was done with those funds.

“We are very appreciative to everyone who contributed to the campaign this year.” Monaco said. She believes this year people knew what needs the community was facing and wanted to do their part to help.

“It’s absolutely amazing to have reached our goal by December 31st, and we are so thankful to our community for supporting us,” she said.

For more information on the programs funded by the United Way of Mid-Rural New York, visit their website at https://www.uwmrny.org.