Binghamton-area nonprofits raise matching funds for A Community Thrives program

Three Southern Tier nonprofits have applied for 2022 A Community Thrives grants and are raising matching funds required for final-round consideration.

A Community Thrives is the $2.3 million fundraising and grant-making initiative of the Gannett Foundation. The Press & Sun-Bulletin is owned by Gannett Co. Inc.

Since the program’s inception in 2017, over $17 million has been donated through crowdfunding efforts and disbursed to more than 500 organizations across the country.

“The program offers not only grants but opportunities for organizations to extend their networks and deepen their donor base by creating connections with our consumers," said Sue Madden, director of the Gannett Foundation. "In addition, participation in the A Community Thrives program can result in national and local media exposure. Year after year, we hear fantastic anecdotes from participants on how the program has accelerated development.”

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Grants are awarded for specific projects or for operating funds. To qualify for final consideration, nonprofits must raise either $3,000 or $6,000 in matching funds, depending on their size. Fundraising began July 18 and ends Aug. 12.

Here's information on each of our local applicants and how each of them says they would use the money.

You can search for and donate to any of the organizations through the program website at acommunitythrives.com.

HCA — Helping Celebrate Abilities, Binghamton

HCA opened its doors in 1947 as a preschool for children with special needs. Over the past 75 years, the Greater Broome County area non-profit has expanded its reach by providing programs and services to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities of all ages.

HCA serves 300 to 400 individuals each year, helping people become independent and successful members of the community. This includes preparing children for school as well as helping individuals with disabilities find employment and live on their own.

Support is needed to buy expensive equipment for group homes. This type of equipment, including Hoyer lift systems and a walk-in shower tub, is not covered by any insurance or funding from New York state.

Family Planning of South Central New York, Oneonta

Family Planning of South Central New York Inc. provides affordable and compassionate gynecological and reproductive medical care, as well as comprehensive, evidence-based sexual health education, to women, men, adults and teens in Broome, Chenango, Delaware and Otsego counties. The group will open a sixth medical center in Cortland this year.

In 2021, Family Planning of South Central New York provided care to more than 7,000 patients. They also provided more than 5,000 young people with medically accurate, age-appropriate sexual health education in local schools and organizations.

The primary target population is low-income individuals of reproductive age, between 14 and 50, in need of health care. No one is ever turned away, regardless of income, insurance coverage or immigration status.

According to Family Planning of South Central New York, individuals with access to quality reproductive medical care are more likely than others to stay in school, find and stay in jobs and fully participate in their community.

Family Planning of South Central New York appreciates prior funding through A Community Thrives. Continued funding will support reproductive medical care services including annual exams, cancer screenings, contraception, sexually transmitted infection testing and treatment, and rapid HIV testing.

I Can Ride Inc., Binghamton

I Can Ride Inc. is a not-for-profit that supports scholarships for hippotherapy, adaptive riding and equine-related activities for at-risk youth, community members with special needs, and veterans.

Programs are offered at Stable Movements, the only hippotherapy facility in Broome County. Operating for more than 20 years in the Binghamton area, Stable Movements has seen an increased demand for alternative therapeutic opportunities for marginalized members of the community, especially in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Working with local therapists and community groups, I Can Ride Inc. is committed to offering this alternative program for the physical, mental and emotional well-being of the people it serves.

In the past year, I Can Ride Inc. has provided about 20 scholarships while helping multiple individuals and groups. Each successful hippotherapy session represents another step forward for each person served.

Continued funding will support scholarship opportunities for hippotherapy, adaptive riding and other equine-related activities.

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This article originally appeared on Binghamton Press & Sun-Bulletin: Southern Tier nonprofits raising funds for A Community Thrives