CHENANGO COUNTY – In January, the United Way of Mid Rural New York wrapped up a successful 2025 campaign, exceeding their fundraising goal. United Way President and CEO Elizabeth Monaco explained that the organization started the 2025 Campaign with a goal to raise $562,900. At the conclusion of the campaign, they had raised $590,543, exceeding the goal by almost $30,000. “We are so proud of the generosity of our local donors and so pleased that we exceeded our overall goal this year so that we were able to put more money back into our four counties for 2026,” Monaco said.

The United Way of Mid Rural New York serves the counties of Chenango, Madison, Delaware and Otsego. Donations from each county are totaled up and those dollars stay within the county where they were raised. “Keeping dollars local is what United Way is all about,” Monaco explained.

Prior to 2025, it had been several years since the United Way reached their fundraising goal. The 2026 campaign presented challenges in the community. This year’s campaign was a huge success and Monaco explained she believed this was due in part to the struggles people knew the community was facing. “This is such a huge accomplishment, said Monaco. “Despite the challenges of the economy and inflation, we’ve had several new donors this year and folks gave even more generously than they have in years past. This year’s campaign results will make a real difference for the families of this community.”

Because of the fall United Way campaign, 21 programs in Chenango County will receive funding in 2026 totaling $263,485. In Madison County, 12 programs will receive funding totaling $71,861. In Otsego County, 11 programs will receive funding totaling $43,666. And in Delaware County, 9 programs will receive funding totaling $17,713. All these programs are in their second year of a two-year competitive funding cycle at the United Way. Every program that receives United Way funding must be delivering community outcomes in one of the four focus areas. The United Way’s goal is to focus on programs that promote youth opportunities, access to healthcare, community resiliency and financial security. Programs will be able to apply/reapply for funds for the 2027/28 funding cycle beginning this summer.

While the United Way has not yet announced the individual programs that will be receiving funding in 2026, they have previously funded Chenango County programs that included: Family Planning’s Access to Healthcare program, the YMCA’s Camp Thompson, the Chenango Child Advocacy Center through the Crime Victims Assistance Center, Connection to Care through the Rural Health Network of South Central New York, the American Red Cross’ Disaster Cycle Services, the Prescription Assistance Program through Chenango Health Network, Roots and Wings by Catholic Charities of Chenango County and Youth Philanthropy Council through The Place, among many others. A full list of the programs funded in 2025 can be found at https://www.uwmrny.org/four-county-funded-partners.

Monaco explained that the United Way Programs are scored every six months by a panel of volunteers to be sure agencies are accountable for the results they are delivering in the community.

In addition to the 35 programs receiving support across the United Way of Mid Rural New York’s four-county footprint, coalitions and partnerships like the Dolly Parton Imagination Library, the 2-1-1 Information and Referral Hotline, the CASH Coalition, the Regional Dental Task Force and the Regional Micro Loan Program also are supported by the United Way’s annual campaign.

A complete list of this year’s programs and funding amounts for each county will be announced in March.