Eighth annual FLX Gives fundraiser underway

SOUTHERN TIER, N.Y. (WENY) — The eighth annual FLX Gives fundraiser kicked off on Thursday and surpassed in donations $40,000 within 15 minutes.

“This is our eighth year of Finger Lakes Gives, which we call FLX Gives, and the very first year, eight years ago, we raised just over $55,000 during the 24 hours,” said Community Foundation of Elmira-Corning and the Finger Lakes President Randi Hewit. “We've raised almost that within the first 15 minutes this year. This community could not be more generous.”

Every year, the Community Foundation of Elmira-Corning and the Finger Lakes, Inc. hosts a 24-hour fundraiser for local nonprofits. The fundraiser aims to support local nonprofits and highlight the generous spirit of the Finger Lakes community.

Fundraiser officials said it does not matter if a person donates monetarily or by spreading the word through social media; they are thrilled to see so many community members come together to support nonprofits.

“The reason that we would like to have so many people give $1 versus one person giving a huge amount of money is that everyone can be a philanthropist — every one of us,” said Hewit. “The truth is, we are all people who give. You don't have to be wealthy to be a philanthropist; it's a misunderstanding, and it's just not true.”

The event started eight years ago as a way to challenge community members to show their support for nonprofits. Now, it is a highly anticipated once-a-year event by nonprofit employees and community members.

“It's like our localized Giving Tuesday, so we wanted to bring it here and see how our community can give back because our nonprofits do such amazing work, so we're so grateful to see the support and build over time,” said Vice President of Scholarships & Youth Philanthropy at the Community Foundation Katie Strickler.

"We already know that we live in a very giving community,” said Community Foundation Vice President of Programs Sara Shaut. “We see it every day in our work and in our life, but this is just another way that giving is magnified in the span of just 24 hours.”

To celebrate the official start of the 24-hour fundraiser, the Corning Area Chamber of Commerce hosted a kickoff party at the Corning Radisson. The party hosted employees from participating nonprofits and gave them the chance to network with like-minded individuals.

“We started networking, seeing who else could possibly come to the festival, seeing who else is out there and getting our information out,” said Joshua Heafey from Hornell Partners for Growth.

In 2026, Hornell Partners for Growth joined FLX Gives to raise money for their annual Fourth of July celebration. Their America 250 celebration was much larger than usual to celebrate the milestone anniversary of the nation, but organizers said they want to keep future events just as grand.

“We're raising funds for the 2027 4th of July celebration at Veterans Memorial Park; all the funds that we raise will go to help with fireworks, the bands, the music, the bounce activities,” said Valorie Whitehill with Hornell Partners for Growth. “Our events are always free. Basically, any of the funds that we have to raise will help bring more activities, more arts and crafts and that kind of stuff.”

The fundraiser runs from 6 p.m. on Thursday, November 12, until 6 p.m. on Friday, November 13. To donate, head to FLXGives.org.

Eighth annual FLX Gives fundraiser underway

Comments