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United Way launches 2026 campaign with $17M goal
United Way launches 2026 campaign with $17M goal
The United Way of Greater Rochester and the Finger Lakes launched its 2026 annual campaign Wednesday with a fundraising goal of $17 million, up from $16.7 million raised in 2025.
Last year’s campaign supported programs across six counties, funding basic needs, workforce stability and nonprofit operations during a period of economic uncertainty. United Way officials said the increase reflects continued demand for services and rising costs across the nonprofit sector.
“The Annual Campaign shows what’s possible when individual giving scales into collective impact,” said Jaime Saunders, president and CEO of United Way of Greater Rochester and the Finger Lakes. “Last year’s results demonstrated this community’s capacity to respond during challenging conditions.”
To accelerate early momentum, five law firms — Bond, Schoeneck & King; Harter Secrest & Emery; Nixon Peabody; Harris Beach Murtha, and Phillips Lytle — have launched the Changemaker Challenge, pledging to match all new or increased donations to United Way and the Community Impact Fund, dollar for dollar, up to $325,000.
In addition, ESL Federal Credit Union and Five Star Bank are providing $350,000 in leadership-level challenge grants, increasing the impact of higher-tier contributions.
United Way also named Ed Hourihan, managing partner at Bond, Schoeneck & King, as chair of the 2026 campaign. Hourihan said the organization is positioned to meet its $17 million target based on strong employer participation and donor engagement across the region.
To learn more about how you can participate and support the campaign, visit unitedwayrocflx.org.
[email protected] / (585) 653-4021
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