As another Cattaraugus Gives approaches on December 1, the Cattaraugus Region Community Foundation is taking a moment to reflect on what has become one of the community’s most impactful days of giving.
Since its launch in 2018, Cattaraugus Gives has brought together nonprofits, donors, businesses and community members around a shared goal: making a difference in the place they call home. What began as an opportunity to connect local organizations with new supporters has grown into an annual tradition that continues to demonstrate the giving nature of people throughout the region.
The first Cattaraugus Gives brought together approximately 40 local nonprofits for a 24-hour online fundraising event. With just a month to organize their campaigns, participating organizations raised more than $28,000, with an additional $5,000 in prizes provided by CRCF.
The following year, participation and community support grew considerably. Seventy organizations raised over $110,000 in just 24 hours, with contributions from 841 donors. It was an early indication of what the program could become.
Kirk Windus, CRCF executive director, was instrumental in developing and coordinating Cattaraugus Gives during its early years. Looking back, he said the program’s initial success demonstrated that the community was eager for an opportunity to support local causes in a collective way.
“When we first introduced Cattaraugus Gives, we wanted to create something that would bring nonprofits together and give them another avenue to connect with their supporters,” said Windus. “We knew there was generosity in our community, but seeing how quickly organizations embraced the opportunity and how much people were willing to give exceeded our expectations. It became about much more than raising money – it was about creating a shared sense of purpose and showing what we could accomplish together.”
That sense of purpose became particularly evident in 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic created unprecedented challenges for nonprofits and the communities they served.
Despite financial uncertainty and significant disruptions to everyday life, Cattaraugus Gives provided a way for residents to continue supporting organizations that were navigating increased needs and limited resources. The campaign generated more than $250,000 that year, highlighting how even during difficult times, community giving remained a priority.
That momentum continued in the years that followed.
In 2021, participating nonprofits raised $358,722. By 2022, cumulative fundraising through Cattaraugus Gives had reached approximately $1 million.
For Windus, watching the initiative grow from its early beginnings into an established tradition was especially rewarding.
"One of the things that stood out to me was how the nonprofits themselves grew with the program," Windus said. "Organizations became more comfortable telling their stories, engaging donors and finding creative ways to encourage participation. The relationships that developed between nonprofits, businesses and community members have been just as important as the dollars raised. It is rewarding to see an idea that started with a relatively small group of organizations become something the entire community looks forward to."
Today, Cattaraugus Gives continues to build on that foundation, with an increased emphasis on nonprofit engagement, fundraising education and opportunities for organizations to strengthen their outreach.
Tyler Veno, CRCF communications and fund development manager and current Cattaraugus Gives coordinator, has helped lead the initiative through its recent growth. In 2025, 100 participating organizations collectively raised more than $371,000, setting a new record for the giving day.
The program has also continued to expand its reach through larger prize pools, matching opportunities and additional resources for participating organizations. In recent years, CRCF has placed greater emphasis on helping nonprofits prepare well in advance, including offering workshops focused on fundraising strategies, marketing, storytelling and donor engagement.
“What’s exciting about Cattaraugus Gives is that every year we find new ways to build on what came before,” said Veno. “The fundraising totals are certainly something to celebrate, but I think the real success is seeing organizations become more involved, reaching new supporters and finding ways to tell their ‘why.’ We’re not just helping nonprofits raise money for one day. We’re helping them develop relationships and skills that can benefit their organizations throughout the year.”
The continued success of Cattaraugus Gives reflects something fundamental about the role of philanthropy in a community. Every participating organization has a unique mission, but they share a common goal of making the region a better place to live, work and grow.
Whether supporting food security, youth development, education, arts and culture or countless other causes, donations made through Cattaraugus Gives help organizations continue providing programs and services that make a difference in people’s lives.
“At its heart, Cattaraugus Gives is about recognizing that everyone has a role to play in strengthening our community,” said Veno. “Not every gift has to be large to make a difference. When hundreds, or even thousands, of people each contribute what they can, those individual acts of generosity add up to something significant.”
“And that’s what makes this event so special.”
As CRCF looks ahead to December 1, the Foundation hopes to build on the momentum of previous years and once again bring participants and their supporters together for a day centered on community philanthropy.
After years of record-breaking campaigns, growing participation and millions of dollars raised, one thing remains clear: Cattaraugus Gives is a reflection of a community that believes in nonprofits, the work they do and understands that a stronger future starts with supporting one another.
The Cattaraugus Region Community Foundation is the area’s supportive, responsive and trusted community foundation. Established in 1994, CRCF is growing good by connecting donors to the causes they care about most in the region. Grants from the foundation support many areas, including education, scholarships, health care, the arts, community development, human service, and youth development. To learn more, call (716) 301-CRCF (2723), email [email protected], or visit online at www.cattfoundation.org. CRCF is also on Facebook (facebook.com/cattfoundation) and Twitter (@CattFoundation).
