The Cornell United Way President’s Leadership Association recognized donors who have contributed $1,000 or more to Cornell’s 2023 United Way campaign during a reception held Feb. 20 at Moakley House.

Funds from the 102nd annual campaign will support local nonprofits and those in need in Tompkins County. President Martha E. Pollack; Michael Ramos, president and CEO of the United Way of Tompkins County; and other organizers attended the event to thank the donors.

Credit: Sreang Hok/Cornell University

“Through your investment – $439,000 so far and counting – the dream of a sufficient sustainable livelihood for all is real,” Ramos said. “You put the lie to scarcity in the midst of abundance by expanding our all-encompassing embrace of abundance as a people to touch all corners of our county so that no one is left behind.”

The Cornell campaign raised $439,185 – approximately 76% of its $575,000 goal – with 129 donors contributing $1,000 or more. Their contributions constitute approximately 80% of the contributions earned – or $351,324.

Brandon Fortenberry, Cornell United Way co-chair and senior manager of dining training and development for Student and Campus Life, shared a personal connection to an organization that the United Way supports in his remarks, which kicked off the event.

As the child of a single mother who struggled with drug addiction and keeping his family fed, happy and together, he participated in the Big Brothers Big Sisters program. It was “a way in which I could gain a positive male role model in my life without my father being in my life,” he said. “To this day I still speak with my big brother from Big Brothers Big Sisters all those years ago, and he was an extremely influential and positive influence in my life. That’s why I do what I do.”

Nonprofits that run on donations struggled to raise funds and keep up with the community’s needs in 2023.

“I’ve been the chair or co-chair of the Cornell or Tompkins County campaigns for six years, and I wish I could say that it gets easier every year, but it doesn’t, which is why you are incredibly important,” said Patricia Wynn, Cornell United Way campaign co-chair and assistant vice president for Student and Campus Life.

 Almost 17% of Tompkins County residents live below the poverty line – more than the national average of 12.6%, Wynn said.

“We continue to see the needs of our communities grow, and we continue to see the support and the resources and the volunteerism diminish,” Fortenberry said. “Folks like you help to bridge that gap between the need and the ability to support the community every day.”

He closed the event with an appeal for more support. “Those of you who know me know that I don’t give up,” he said. Someone once affectionately called him “grenacious” – graciously tenacious. “We’re going to keep adding, we’re going to keep finding new ways to engage with donors and engage with the Cornell community.”

Those who wish to donate to the Cornell campaign can visit the Cornell United Way website.