Thank you to everyone who joined us for United Way's Holiday Soiree and YAP Awards! Gathering together with so many of you made the occasion truly special as our Youth and Philanthropy students presented their annual grant awards. $25,000 was awarded to 11 amazing local nonprofits.

Our 2023 YAP grant awardees are:

Catholic Charities Tompkins/Tioga

Community School of Music and Arts

Family & Children's Service of Ithaca

Family Reading Partnership

Finger Lakes Toy Library

Foodnet Meals on Wheels

Free Science Workshop

Human Services Coalition of Tompkins County

Ithaca Welcomes Refugees

YMCA of Ithaca & Tompkins County

Youth Farm Project

Thank you to Myriah Marnell, UWTC Board Vice Chair, for guiding students through another successful Youth and Philanthropy Program after more than 10 years of volunteering with UWTC.

Our thanks to Gola Osteria for their delicious contributions of food and beverages for the event.

Additional thanks to Dean Andrew Karolyi and the Cornell SC Johnson College of Business for hosting us at the Breazzano Family Center for Business Education.

Finally, a special thank you to Triad Foundation for providing the funds that the students distribute each year. The YAP program would not be possible without their generous support!

YAP Grants Made Possible by Triad Foundation

Thank you to all the local restaurants who provided food for the YAP kids during their weekly sessions this fall!

Italian Carryout

https://italiancarryoutithaca.com/

Luna Inspired Street Food

https://www.lunastreetfood.com/

Silo Food Truck

https://www.silofoodtruck.com/

Gola Osteria

https://golaosteria.com/

Megan Omohundro

Chief Development Officer

The United Way of Tompkins County Level-Up Program is a new path to become a member of United Way’s Tocqueville Society.

The Level-Up program provides an extended, six-year track so you can participate in United Way’s premier giving society while gradually growing your impact in our community. For more information reach out to Megan by email at [email protected] or schedule time to meet with her at https://calendly.com/omohundro

Dear Friends of United Way of Tompkins County,

It is with both a sense of loss and excitement for our community and our Senior Director of Community Impact, Gregg Houck, that I share with you his appointment as Director of the Ithaca Youth Bureau, which was confirmed at last week's Ithaca Common Council meeting. Gregg has excelled in leadership at UWTC with great care for community members and a strong commitment to social justice. In his role over the past two years, Gregg has guided our community impact processes for the Community Care Fund, T. Merrell Shipherd Fund, and two Youth & Philanthropy programs. He also has been the lead staff member on the Stephen E. Garner Day of Caring, Summers of Service, and Governor’s Toy Gifting initiatives. He has engaged in advocacy work at the county and state level for health and human services matters and has recently been working on re-launching our online volunteer center on a new, robust platform.

Gregg has shared, “It has truly been an honor to serve the Tompkins County community in this role for the past two years. I am grateful to our impact partners who are working every day to build a more just community where everyone’s needs are met, and all can thrive. I deeply respect and admire their commitment and look forward to continued collaboration with them and the United Way as I transition into my new position.” Gregg’s last day with United Way of Tompkins County will be December 29. Thank you for joining us in thanking Gregg for his effective contributions to our work and our community and congratulating him on entering this new role in which his impact will continue to be significant for Tompkins County and its youth.

United Way of Tompkins County has a strong team of professionals who are poised to continue Gregg’s work as we begin a search for a new member to the team in this key area of work. Any inquiries that normally would be directed to Gregg can be directed to Gail Belokur, Chief Operating Officer, at [email protected] or myself. The two-year funding cycle has been scheduled for applications to open February 14th prior to this change in staffing, and that timeline will stay on course. We will be inviting all current and potential impact partners to two open sessions to learn more about the next 2-year cycle in the month of January. At those sessions, as well as in other communications, I will be presenting specific information about UWTC’s impact priorities for the next two years, the application process, and staffing updates. 

We thank Gregg for his tremendous service with United Way of Tompkins County. I look forward to any questions you may have and to meet with you as, together, we make the circle of compassion and hope ever wider, United in Action.

Michael Ramos

We surpassed our goal and raised $5,955 during the Season of Giving! THANK YOU to all those who gave a gift during this two-week virtual campaign to spread connection, warmth, and kindness to those in need this holiday season. We would also like to give a special thanks to all of our peers who volunteered to be a part of this campaign and made it successful! Although our Season of Giving has concluded, you can still give a gift to enact positive change in our community through our Community Campaign by visiting, uwtc.org/give.

You can donate anytime online at https://www.uwtc.org/give

Alternatively, you can mail us a check or drop it off in our secure mailbox and as long as it's postmarked by December 31st, 2023, we will apply it to 2023.

If you prefer, we will be happy to see you in person or take your phone call to (607) 500-GIVE to receive your year-end gifts at the UWTC office!

Every gift matters as we work every day to ensure a brighter future for our community!

313 N. Aurora St. Ithaca, NY, 14850

Park for free when dropping off your gift in person by using our driveway and parking around back!