Business & Merchant

Last Updated on Friday, 30 September 2016 15:41

The Washington County Community Foundation (WCCF) has released the preliminary results of WCCF Gives, Washington County’s annual community-wide day of giving held on September 13, 2016.

More than $620,000 was contributed by the community, which when combined with the WCCF’s $100,000 bonus pool, will result in grant checks to participating charities of more than $720,000!

“We were very pleased to have realized a 13% increase in the number of donors contributing, which was likely the result of increased marketing efforts by charities, as well as increased marketing efforts by the Community Foundation. The importance of building an ever-increasing base of donors cannot be overemphasized, and so we commend those charities that took steps to secure additional donors this year,” commented Betsie Trew, WCCF President & CEO.

Of the 107 charities who received support, 33% realized both an increase in the number of donors and an increase in dollars contributed over last year. Of particular note is the Independence Conservancy, which realized a 275% increase in the number of donors and a 520% increase in the total dollars contributed. The Independence Conservancy, which works for clean water in Washington County by operating three Abandoned Mine Discharge Treatment Systems in the headwaters of Raccoon Creek near Burgettstown, secured over $4,000 in gifts.

Also of note is the Meals on Wheels of Peters Township ,which secured a 184% increase in its contributions total over last year. The $31,000 secured this year will help the organization to provide a hot nutritious meal to seniors and others who have difficulty shopping for food or preparing meals.

As a group, the 14 public libraries throughout the county raised approximately $36,000. The Fredericktown Library, one of the smallest in the county, more than doubled its number of donors over last year, and secured $5,400 in donations. As a group, the animal care organizations in the county raised approximately $47,000. Pet Search, an all-volunteer animal rescue and placement service for homeless and unwanted domestic animals in southwestern Pennsylvania, realized the largest increase in the number of donors of all the animal care organizations, and secured $9,300 in contributions.

The Literacy Council of Southwestern Pennsylvania, which works to empower adults and families with literacy skills that enable them to lead successful, fulfilled lives as members of our communities, raised $21,000. That amount is nearly half of the Council’s annual operating budget.

The charity that secured both the greatest contribution total and the most donors overall was the Washington City Mission, whose 174 donors contributed more than $75,000. Coming in second at approximately $49,000 was the Pennsylvania Trolley Museum, which had 141 donors.

Foundation donors have expressed their appreciation for the day of giving, which enables them to support their favorite charities with one transaction. Donors contributing by credit card represented 53% of the total number of donors, and 33% of the total dollar amount. Donors contributing by check represented 47% of the total number of donors, and 67% of the total dollar amount.

Charities will receive one check from the Community Foundation for the total of their contributions and the appropriate portion of the bonus pool, along with a list of contributors. For individual charity amounts, please visit www.wccfgives.org.