PA Skill Charitable Giving helps Raise the Region

Annually, Pennsylvania Skill Charitable Giving supports Raise the Region and this year Charitable Giving made a $25,000 donation to the fundraiser that supports residents that are passionate about the work of local nonprofit organizations in the region. This year’s fundraiser raised $2,320,586.00 which was distributed to 333 organizations, and they received 8,068 donations in total! 

Raise the Region is a day of giving fueled by the power of social media and collaboration. Raise the Region is an initiative of First Community Foundation Partnership of Pennsylvania. This year’s fundraiser was held from 6 p.m. March 8 to 11:59 p.m. March 9.

As an initiative of the First Community Foundation Partnership of Pennsylvania, the aim of Raise the Region is to promote the work and support of local nonprofits in our region. This event will increase individual funding to nonprofits through a concentrated, online, stretching gift campaign that reaches each community supported by a participating nonprofit. Raise the Region is a strategic and unified effort to meet the increasing needs of our region that are being addressed through the work of local nonprofits.

Organizations that received prizes from Pennsylvania Skill Charitable Giving include the following:

$1,000 Participation Prize

• Selected by a random drawing of a guest at the kick-off event.
  • Sojourner Truth Ministries
    • Sojourner Truth Ministries is a loving, spiritual, and inclusive Christian mission, ministering since 2002 to the marginalized, homeless, and lonely in the area.
    • Williamsport, Lycoming County

$1,000 Skillful Gifting Prize

• Given to a large, medium, and small category nonprofit that had the most $100 gifts between 10 p.m. and midnight on March 8, 2023.
  • Small Nonprofit: Orangeville Public Library
    • Orangeville Public Library provides informational, educational, recreational, and cultural interests and needs to the community by providing free and timely access to print and non-print resources appropriate to those needs.
    • Received $1,000
    • Orangeville, Columbia County
  • Medium Nonprofit: Haven to Home Canine Rescue
    • Haven to Home rescues dogs in need, rehabilitates them in a quality, provides a nurturing environment, and re-homes them in a loving, responsible, permanent home as soon as possible. The organization strives to promote a culture of kindness in our community through networking and education.
    • Received $1,000
    • Berwick, Columbia County
  • Large Nonprofit: Northumberland Christian School
    • Northumberland Christian School, founded in 1972, offers a full educational program for students from preschool through high school and is committed to provide a God-Centered approach to education, discipleship as an essential part of Christian life, and a broad education that embraces ideas and truths as well as skills.
    • Received $1,000
    • Northumberland, Northumberland County

$1,000 Peer to Peer (P2P) Awards

• Randomly awarded to a nonprofit that has a minimum of five P2P fundraisers who each have raised $250 by 3 p.m. on March 9, 2023, through their individual fundraiser page.
  • Meadowview Christian Academy
    • Meadowview Christian Academy strives to honor God by providing a Bible-based education to the students. Through community awareness and character development, the Academy works to develop Christian leaders that will change this world one person at a time.
    • Paxinos, Northumberland County 

$1,000 Afternoon Drive

• Awarded to a large, medium, and small category nonprofit that has the most unique donors between 2 and 5 p.m. on March 9, 2023.
  • Small Nonprofit: Patriot K9 Rescue
    • Patriot K9 Rescue raises funds to care for retired Military Working Dogs, Contract Working Dogs, and Retired Police K9's. The nonprofit operates a small facility in Central PA where they help to transport, care for, and provide a comfortable, loving environment for these unsung heroes, while they await their forever homes.
    • Received $1,000
    • Elysburg, Northumberland County
  • Medium Nonprofit: ThinkBIG Pediatric Cancer Fund
    • ThinkBIG's mission is to relieve the stress of everyday financial expenses so families who are battling pediatric cancer can concentrate on treatment and healing. ThinkBIG® is dedicated to minimizing this stress by providing financial support to these families for everyday cost of living expenses and unpaid medical bills.
    • Received $1,000
    • Bloomsburg, Columbia County
  • Large Nonprofit: Bloomsburg Theatre Ensemble
    • Bloomsburg Theatre Ensemble is a unique theatre that creates a home base and stability for artists to grow with their community. As one of the oldest ensemble theatres in the country, BTE approaches theatre-making through a collective lens, rather than being led by a singular artistic director.
    • Received $1,000
    • Bloomsburg, Columbia County

$1,000 Evening Challenge

• Donated to a large, medium, and small category nonprofit that had the most unique donors between 7 to 8 p.m. on March 9, 2023.
  • Small Nonprofit: Shikellamy TFCC Booster Club
    • The Shikellamy Track and Field and Cross Country (TFCC) Booster Club is a team of coaches, parents, and individuals that support youth sports in the community to encourage youth to get involved and stay healthy.
    • Received $1,000
    • Sunbury, Northumberland County
  • Medium Nonprofit: ThinkBIG Pediatric Cancer Fund
    • Received $1,000
  • Large Nonprofit: Northumberland Christian School
    • Received $1,000

 $500 Go Getter Prize

• Awarded to a large, medium, and small category nonprofit that raised the most money on their individual fundraising, Peer to Peer page.
  • Small Nonprofit: Rick Catino Anthracite Associates (RCAA) Health Services
    • RCAA Health Services strives to give hope to those who are drug-addicted, homeless, and/or recently released from prison or jail that have nowhere to turn. The nonprofit helps that get on their feet to reenter society as a productive member of the community.
    • Received $500
    • Northumberland County
  • Medium Nonprofit: Factory Works
    • Through Factory Works programs, like-minded individuals can share common interests resulting in a supportive community environment. Their mission is to provide educational resources for nurturing artists, artisans, community builders, and innovative thinkers — to ignite a spirit of creativity that enriches our entire community.
    • Received $500
    • Williamsport, Lycoming County
  • Large Nonprofit: Northumberland Christian School
    • Received $500

Organizations that are verified 501(c)(3) charitable nonprofits that are headquartered or provide services in north central Pennsylvania region are eligible to participate. Donations, stretch funds and prize money benefit communities in Columbia, Lycoming, Montour, Northumberland, Snyder, Tioga, and/or Union counties.