The United Way of Tompkins County logo.

Moving Forward Together:
Celebrating Our 2025-26 Community Impact

A Message to Our Community

While circumstances beyond our control prevented us from gathering in person for our annual celebration this year, the spirit of unity and collective care across Tompkins County has never been stronger. This webpage serves as our digital celebration, a space to honor the incredible individuals who power our mission, share the life-changing results you made possible with your gifts, and express our deepest gratitude to every donor, volunteer, coordinator, and impact partner.

Because of you, we continue to meet critical needs, break down systemic barriers, and build a more resilient community. Thank you for standing with us.

Click through these UWTC Celebration 26 Photos by United Way of Tompkins County

The Big Picture: 2025-26 Community Impact Results

Thanks to your incredible generosity, our collective network achieved historic reach across the region this past year. See our 2025-26 Community Impact page for more details.

    • 84,941 People Served: Your support directly touched the lives of tens of thousands of our neighbors.
    • 201,840 Nutritious Meals Provided: Together, we worked to fuel families and directly decrease local food insecurity.
    • 63,108 Vital Rides Coordinated: We ensured community members had dependable transportation to access healthcare, human services, employment, and learning opportunities.

Supporting Our Impact Partners

This past year, UWTC supported our Impact Partners and our community in various ways.

Free Shred Day

We teamed up with Beginnings Credit Union to offer a free Shred Day. This important service helps local nonprofits:

    • Save money.
    • Protect their data.
    • Safely dispose of confidential documents.

Training on State Policy Advocacy

We teamed up with Cornell University’s State Policy Advocacy Clinic. Together, we offered free training on state policy advocacy activities. The training covered several key areas, including the importance of local and state policy advocacy, the inner workings of New York State government, the state budget process, policy design and research, submitting FOIL requests, and different approaches to policy advocacy.

Connecting Volunteers with Impact Partners

We gave volunteers simple ways to give back and connected them with our impact partners through our Day of Action and Volunteer offerings.

Supporting Our Community in Challenging Times

This past year was challenging for many in our community, especially for those who rely on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and the Heat Energy Assistance Program (HEAP).

Support During SNAP Delays

When SNAP benefits were delayed last fall, UWTC raised almost $10,000 to help 13 local food pantries and distribution sites meet the need at its greatest.

Mobilizing for HEAP Delays

Later, when HEAP benefits were delayed, families risked being unable to heat their homes. UWTC mobilized the community again and raised almost $30,000. Through our partnership with 2-1-1 Tompkins/Cortland and the UW/2-1-1 ALICE Program, we helped 72 households in Tompkins County pay for utility bills and fill fuel tanks to keep warm through the winter.

Honoring Our 2025-26 Award Recipients

An annual highlight of our celebration is recognizing the exemplary leadership and volunteerism that guide our campaign. While we cannot applaud them in person, we invite you to join us in celebrating this year’s distinguished award winners and organizations below.

Thanks to all awardees, our workplace campaign coordinators, and every volunteer who dedicated their time and energy this year! You are the heart of United Way!

Distinguished Award Winners

    • Lynette Scofield Key Contributor Award | Cornell United Way Team
      Recognizing outstanding leadership and exceptional commitment to mobilizing resources and strengthening our community campaign.
    • Jeannie Barnaba Unsung Hero Award | Susan Riley
      Honoring a dedicated individual whose quiet, behind-the-scenes efforts and unwavering support make a massive difference in the lives of others.
    • Pat Stage Volunteer of the Year Award | Gunnar Madison
      Celebrating extraordinary volunteer service, selflessness, and a passionate commitment to advancing the common good in Tompkins County.

Outstanding Workplace Campaigns

Top 5 Workplace Campaigns

These are the top five workplace campaigns based on giving from employees, Cornerstone gifts, and special events.

    • Cornell University
    • Dryden Mutual Insurance
    • Wegmans of Ithaca
    • Tompkins Community Bank
    • Sciarabba Walker

Increased Employee Giving

These workplace campaigns demonstrated an increase in the number of employees who gave.

    • Catholic Charities Tompkins/Tioga
    • Cayuga Media Group
    • Challenge Workforce Solutions
    • Child Development Council
    • Community Dispute Resolution Center
    • Cornell University
    • Dryden Mutual Insurance
    • Foodnet Meals on Wheels
    • Ithaca Community Childcare Center
    • Northside Wine & Spirits
    • Tompkins Cortland Community College
    • Tompkins Community Bank
    • Tompkins Chamber
    • Tompkins County
    • YMCA of Ithaca & Tompkins County

80% Giving Recognition

At these organizations, 80% of their employees gave!

    • South Hill Business Campus

100% Giving Recognition

At these organizations, 100% of their employees gave!

    • Dryden Mutual Insurance
    • Foodnet Meals on Wheels

What’s Next?

Our work does not stop when a campaign closes. The funds raised this past year are already being put to work on the ground through our incredible impact partners.