Photo submitted to the Times Observer Pictured is the Warren Gives sign the City put up in Crescent Park

It’s the time of year when Warren gives – a lot.

The 13th annual Warren Gives event will be held Wednesday, May 14. The day of online giving, organized by the Community Foundation of Warren County, supports local nonprofits with a record 110 charitable organizations participating this year – a new record.

Since its inception, Warren Gives has raised and distributed more than $6.2 million to nonprofit groups throughout the county. In 2024 alone, the event brought in $942,552 for 107 organizations, setting the stage for an ambitious push in 2025.

“This year, we hope to beat last year’s total and maybe, just maybe, reach the $1 million milestone,” said Mark King, executive director of the Community Foundation of Warren County. “The need is especially great this year due to government funding cuts impacting many local programs. But the incredible generosity of Warren County never fails — this community always rises to the challenge.”

One of the standout features of Warren Gives is the $75,000 match pool, which enhances each donation by distributing matching funds proportionally. The match pool is made possible by the Community Foundation and a generous group of sponsors, including the Betts Foundation, Calvert Pearson Insurance, Crossett, DeFrees Family Memorial Fund, Ellwood National Forge, McComas Charitable Fund, Northwest Charitable Foundation, Sara Sokolski Memorial Fund, Superior Tire & Rubber, and United Refining Company.

“Every dollar donated on May 14 goes even further,” King said. “It’s an opportunity to maximize your impact with even a $10 minimum gift.”

The 2025 event welcomes four new organizations to the Warren Gives roster: the Allegheny River & Reservoir Clean Up, Kane District Ramp Ministries – Warren County Projects, Sugar Grove Community Fund and Warren County Youth Baseball-Softball Association. Their inclusion reflects the continued growth and diversity of causes supported by the event, ranging from youth development and environmental stewardship to community enrichment and faith-based outreach.

Last year, donations came from all 50 states and the District of Columbia, reinforcing the event’s broad appeal to former residents, family members, and friends of Warren County. Participating nonprofits make a concerted effort each year to engage their networks across the country.

“We have a friendly competition to see which organization can receive donations from the most states,” King said.. “It’s incredible to watch dollars come back into our community from people who still care deeply about Warren County.”

On Wednesday, May 14, from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. Eastern Time, donors can visit WarrenGives.org to make contributions to their chosen nonprofits. Donations must be at least $10 and can be made via Visa, MasterCard, or Discover credit or debit cards. The process is simple, secure, and 100% of all donations go directly to the designated organizations with no administrative or processing fees are deducted. For those who prefer to donate by check, contributions must be received by the Community Foundation by Monday, May 12. Checks should be made payable to the Community Foundation of Warren County, with “Warren Gives” in the memo line, and accompanied by a Check Donation Form, available on the website. Checks and forms may be mailed or hand-delivered to the Foundation office at 310 Second Avenue, Warren, PA 16365.

The giving doesn’t end on May 14. Donors, nonprofits, and community leaders will come together at the annual Warren Gives Check Ceremony on Wednesday, June 4, at the Conewango Club in Warren. The event will honor the community’s generosity and distribute the final donation checks to the participating organizations.

“We hope everyone will consider being a part of this incredible day,” King added. “Giving back to our community–whether you live here or far away–has never been easier, and the impact is immediate and lasting.”

To learn more, sign up for an event reminder, or view the full list of participating nonprofits, visit www.WarrenGives.org. For assistance, contact the Community Foundation at 814-726-9553 or email lag.cfwc@westpa.net.