The Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) celebrate National Philanthropy Day on November 9, 2020. As part of the program, AFP awarded the TOGETHER Fund their Presidents Award for its collaborative impact. As founding partners, the Rochester Area Foundation, Mayo Clinic and United Way of Olmsted County were recognized. Launched back in spring 2020, the TOGETHER Fund supported nearly 100 Rochester area nonprofits who continue experiencing unforeseen challenges due to the ongoing pandemic while serving our region's most vulnerable communities.
In addition, Rioghna Pittock, a recipient of United Way of Olmsted County’s Varsity Letter in Community Service, was recognized as the outstanding youth in philanthropy. She is a dedicated and passionate senior at Rochester Mayo High School who believes, “Students love their community. They want to help however they can, and they WILL help if given the opportunity to do so.” When COVID hit, her and her sister Hannah co-founded Step Up to SIT, a student-led initiative that matches essential workers with high school and college students who can provide free or low-cost childcare.
United, we are helping individuals and families meet their basic needs and achieve financial stability.
Enjoy the moving 18-minute AFP award ceremony. Rioghna’s acceptance speech starts at 9:24 and is a treat to listen to. The Together Fund
presentation follows her at the 14:45 mark.