Cornerstone Partners
When you or your organization becomes a Cornerstone Partner, you are investing in the local causes that matter most and directly strengthening Tompkins County’s mission-driven organizations to help them thrive. As a Cornerstone Partner, your organization will gain prominent visibility in our marketing campaigns and promotional materials, showcasing your commitment to driving positive changes in our community.
Cornerstone Partners provide the vital infrastructure upon which UWTC works and serves. This benevolent and committed group of businesses and individuals joins together to completely underwrite our administrative costs.
Because donations from our Cornerstone Partners cover our overhead, 100% of all other donations are invested directly into necessary community programs and services.
If, after reviewing the information here, you’d like to become a Cornerstone Partner, you can either contact us directly or complete this Business and Organization Pledge Card.
See the current list of Our Cornerstone Partners.
What Your Gift Supports
Your partnership directly funds the essential administrative costs that make our collective work possible, such as:
- Program Support: Covering the daily operating costs of supporting our various community programs.
- Network Fundraising: Driving fundraising activities for our community’s entire mission-driven network.
- Systemic Advocacy: Working closely with our community partners to advocate for long-term, systemic change.
- Campaign Operations: Processing donations and running workplace giving campaigns to expand local awareness.
- Community Unification: Uniting community impact partners and local leaders to look at the big picture and assess community needs.
Giving Levels at a Glance
| Level | Investment Range |
|---|---|
| Pearl | $100 – $499 |
| Bronze | $500 – $1,499 |
| Silver | $1,500 – $4,999 |
| Gold | $5,000 – $9,999 |
| Diamond | $10,000 – $24,999 |
| Diamond Circle & Platinum | $25,000 – $49,999+ |
Partner Benefits and Recognition
When you stand with UWTC to help create a Tompkins County where needs are met, and all can thrive, we ensure your leadership is widely recognized:
Pearl ($100+)
- Annual Report Feature: Recognition in our annual report, distributed in print and electronically to donors, community leaders, and the public.
- Event & Office Signage: Categorized recognition on the Cornerstone sign displayed at UWTC public events and our offices.
- Radiothon Perk: First-time partners (or renewing partners who increase their gift by $100) receive a 60-second spot and a “Song for Good” on Cayuga Media Group’s “Wine & Dine” Radiothon on Lite 97.3.
Bronze ($500+)
All Pearl benefits, plus:
- Digital Directory: A formal listing on the UWTC website.
- E-Newsletter Feature: Inclusion in a dedicated listing in our UWTC e-newsletter, reaching over 9,000 donors and community partners.
- Social Media Shout-Out: A public shout-out upon making your commitment that links directly to your website or social media profiles.
Silver ($1,500+)
All Bronze benefits, plus:
- Meeting Sponsorship: Sponsor recognition at our Impact Partnerand Flourishing Communities table series of meetings, which bring the mission-driven sector and community leaders together to find local solutions.
- Newsletter Spotlight: A highlight in one of our newsletters to share your business’s community impact or available resources that align with our human services and impact goals.
Gold ($5,000+)
All Silver benefits, plus:
- Event Sponsorship: Sponsor recognition of our Giving Auction.
- We promote our major events to the community at large, our donors, 58 impact partners, Cornerstone Partners, and 40 or more workplaces holding campaigns via Cayuga Media Group, local digital/print ads, and direct mail.
- Business Spotlight: A tailored spotlight of your business in an e-newsletter and a standalone social media post.
- Annual Celebration: Two complimentary tickets to our Annual Celebration event at a reserved table.
Diamond ($10,000+)
All Gold benefits, plus:
- Major Event Sponsorship: Co-branding and sponsor recognition for our community-facing events, including Day of Caring, Youth & Philanthropy Awards/Holiday Gathering, Day of Action, and the Annual Celebration.
- Extra Tickets: Two additional tickets (4 total) to our Annual Celebration event at a reserved table.
Diamond Circle and Platinum ($25,000+)
All Diamond benefits, plus:
- Premier Event Sponsorship:Sponsor recognition of our Kick-Off for United Way. This community-wide event brings together corporate and organizational teams engaged in Peer2Peer fundraising for our 58 impact partners, alongside resource sharing and family-friendly activities.
How do we make our Cornerstone Partner pledge?
You can finalize your commitment in any of the following ways:
- Fill out the physical Cornerstone Pledge card.
- Speak with the UWTC representative who gave you this information; they will handle all follow-up.
- Contact us directly at info@uwtc.org or call 607-272-6286 or 607-500-GIVE.
When do we need to submit our pledge?
- To catch the Radiothon: To receive your complimentary 60-second spot and song request for the “United Way Wine & Dine Radiothon” on Lite 97.3 with Dave & Jen, please pledge by January 31 (space is limited and secured on a first-come, first-served basis).
- To secure print and event branding: For recognition in the annual report and community-facing events for the following fiscal year, please submit your pledge by March 31.
Note: We gratefully accept Cornerstone pledges at any time of the year, and we roll out digital/social media recognition as soon as commitments are made.
Do we need to pay at the time we pledge?
No, immediate payment is not required. You can schedule your payments at a frequency and time that align with your organizational budget through December 31. We can schedule automated invoices or reminders to alert you if your payment isn’t made by your chosen date.