Testimonials

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Northeast Ohio Coalition for the Homeless (NEOCH)

"The Northeast Ohio Coalition for the Homeless is so grateful to the VAF By-the-Hand Foundation for the opportunity to create an exciting fundraising campaign that raised thousands of dollars to support our street outreach work for people experiencing unsheltered homelessness in our community. Having a time-limited opportunity to push a campaign that engaged people to donate in a fun and creative way was really added to the appeal we were making. What we're also grateful for is how easy it was to plan and participate, given that the Foundation was so generous and thoughtful to cover processing fees, the match, and could introduce our organization to new donors."

Molly Martin, Director of Strategic Initiatives
Northeast Ohio Coalition for the Homeless (NEOCH)

Hiram House Camp

"Hiram House Camp had the privilege of participating in the Ver-A-Fast By The Hand Foundation scratch off game. What a fun way for our donors and friends to raise money for our organization. This is especially true during the time of Covid-19 when small organizations like ourselves need as much help as possible providing a quality and safe program for our campers. Thank you for helping to enrich the lives of youth through camping!"

Courtney Guzy
Hiram House Camp

Blessing House

"By the Hand offered us a great opportunity to raise funds and awareness for our building project.  The online FastScratch Game was fun for our donors and easy to use.  Cathy was very helpful and easy to work with, getting things set up for us and making suggestions about the best way to reach potential donors.  This was a great fundraiser for the children and families of Blessing House! " 

Donna Humphrey, Director of Development
Blessing House

Alzheimer's Association Cleveland Area Chapter

“The Alzheimer's Association Cleveland Area Chapter was honored to collaborate with By the Hand Foundation for a "March Madness" fundraiser to support our Walk to End Alzheimer's fundraising campaign. The program was easy to execute and our donors enjoyed the fun way to support our organization. We couldn't believe that we met our goal on day 1! ”

Katie Mang, Vice President / Fund Development
Alzheimer's Association Cleveland Area Chapter

Youth Challenge

"Youth Challenge is grateful to VAF By-The-Hand Foundation for allowing us to participate in its FastScratch for Charity campaign.  It was a fun and unique way to engage our donors.  They enjoyed playing the game while earning matching dollars for our organization. Many donors even played more than once and made multiple donations during our campaign. Thanks again!" 

Angelica Compton, Director of Development
Youth Challenge

The Up Side of Downs of Northeast Ohio

"I am grateful to have had the opportunity to partner with VAF By The Hand Foundation to raise funds for the Up Side of Downs. Their FastScratch for Charity program provided our organization with a creative way to engage with our donors and match funds from the foundation for USOD’s education programs critical to students with Down syndrome in Northeast Ohio. Thank you for the support!"

Toni Mullee, Executive Director
The Up Side of Downs of Northeast Ohio

Hunger Network of Greater Cleveland

"The Hunger Network of Greater Cleveland was honored to be one of the selected charities to collaborate with By the Hand Foundation during our 'September is Hunger Awareness Month' campaign. Their giving program was easy to use and doubled our donations! They gave us the tools and support materials to make this seamless for our donors and to attract new donors. Thank you VAF By the Hand!"

Kate Burke, CFRE, Director of Development
Hunger Network of Greater Cleveland

American Red Cross Biomedical Services

"The American Red Cross appreciates Ver-a-fast's commitment to our lifesaving mission. For 5 years Ver-a-fast has served as a valued supporter of the Red Cross. The commitment of Bob, Steve and the entire Ver-a-fast team encouraged numerous blood and platelet donations and, through those donations, helped to save the lives of patients in need. We look forward to continuing to work with them long into the future."

​Wes Pomeroy
Director, Marketing Operations

UCP of Greater Cleveland

“To achieve our mission of empowering children and adults with disabilities to advance their independence, productivity and community inclusion, we depend on the generous support of foundations, individual donors and other philanthropic partners. VAF By The Hand Foundation has increased our donor base by allowing donors to give anonymously, as well as increased our fundraising dollars as they periodically provide matching funds for donations. This support makes a profound impact on the 1,300 individuals with wide-ranging disabilities we serve each year. We appreciate By the Hand Foundation’s efforts in highlighting the significance of individual donors to the success of nonprofit organizations and hope you take great pride in the important difference that your gift makes.”

​Trish Otter, President & CEO
UCP of Greater Cleveland

EDEN

"EDEN is most grateful for the support of the VAF By-The-Hand Foundation, and the opportunity to participate in its FastScratch Initiative. After being forced to cancel our annual event due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the FastScratch Initiative helped us to fill some of the fundraising gap, by raising core operation funds for EDEN’s programs and services. It was a fun way to solicit support of EDEN’s mission—by both current and new donors--and leverage that support to secure additional funding, which will help us to meet the surging need for housing and related supportive services in our community."

​Judi Engel
Director of Fund Development and Communications
EDEN, Inc

The Haven Home

“When we first learned about the FastScratch Fundraiser, we weren't sure how our constituents would respond.  We were surprised at the positive feedback we received, both in donations and comments.  It was easy to manage, which is attractive for a small organization like ours.  Cathy and her team were very helpful in setting it up and giving us tips on how to maximize the campaign.   We considered it a success!”

Cindy Rios
Executive Director
The Haven Home

Village Project

"Village Project was incredibly grateful for the opportunity to participate in VAF By-The-Hand Foundation's - Fast Scratch for charity campaign!   Our donors enjoyed the unique, interactive, fun way their donations were matched.  Many participated multiple times, attempting to increase their matched percentage.  The thousands of dollars raised during this campaign were especially vital during these challenging times, allowing us to continue our mission of coming together as a community of all ages to provide extended care and service to our neighbors experiencing cancer. Thank you VAF By-The-Hand Foundation!"

Barb Harrell
Executive Director
Village Project

North Coast Community Homes

“FastScratch for Charity” presented North Coast Community Homes with a great opportunity to increase donations during our annual spring appeal program.  By The Hand Foundation provided us with examples for email messaging and tips for reaching donors to help drive donations.  Donors shared their excitement for winning additional funds that help support the NCCH mission of providing safe, comfortable housing of high quality for individuals living with developmental disabilities and mental health challenges.   

Chris West, CEO
North Coast Community Homes

The Music Settlement

“The Music Settlement (TMS) was incredibly honored to participate in FastScratch for Charity. We are so grateful to Ver-A-Fast By The Hand Foundation for making this amazing opportunity to multiply the impact of our donors support possible. Thank you for helping us welcome all to our music and arts community to learn, create, inspire and heal!”

Emily Coon
Development Manager
The Music Settlement (TMS)

Best Buddies of Ohio

"We are grateful to Ver-A-Fast By The Hand Foundation for selecting Best Buddies in Ohio as a charity recipient of matching funds through the FastScratch for Charity game. It was particularly exciting for our advisory board and event committees to do special outreach to potential donors with the knowledge their gifts would be matched."
 
Catlin Skufca
​State Director, Ohio
Best Buddies International

Home For Families

“Home for Families appreciates the support we received from the VAF-By-The-Hand Foundation. The Fast Scratch game provided a unique, fun way for donors to increase their donations through matching gifts.”

Dorothy J. Bastian
Associate Director of Advancement
Home for Families

​National Association of Pastoral Musicians

"NPM is so grateful to VAF By the Hand Foundation for the opportunity to play the Fast Scratch game with our members and donors.  Through their generosity, we were able to generate more than 50% additional funds to support our mission.  In these challenging times, every dollar counts!"     

Jennifer Kluge, Executive Director
National Association of Pastoral Musicians

Zelie's Home

“Zelie's Home is incredibly grateful for the support of the VAF By The Hand Foundation and the opportunity to participate in the Fast Scratch Initiative. Cathy and Bob were very helpful in getting things set up for a successful campaign - they even sent helpful suggestions about the best way to reach and communicate with potential donors! It was a fun, unique, and creative way to solicit support for Zelie's Home mission and leverage that support to secure additional funding. Thank you for helping to support pregnant and parenting women and their children in Northeast Ohio.”

Erin Hathaway
Zelie’s Home

Kids Read Now

"By The Hand Foundation’s recent donation of $100,000 To Kids Read Now is being used to support 20,000 children’s (K-5) reading skills. 
Each child in the KRN program will receive 9 books of their choice over this summer designed to help eradicate normal summer learning loss. 
Reading loss in K-5 children, especially in low-income areas, has been seriously exacerbated by the COVID pandemic."  ​

GiGi's Playhouse

“We absolutely loved working with By The Hand Foundation for our campaign around World Down Syndrome Day! The ease of the platform allowed our community a fun and entertaining way to expand their donation. We loved hearing that people matched 100% or even 200%! The team at BTH set us up for success, too, by providing sample emails and text to send out to those receiving our newsletters! Thank you By the Hand Foundation for supporting GiGi’s Playhouse Cleveland and our mission of providing FREE therapeutic and educational resources for our friends with Down syndrome!”

Mary Makulinski
Operations Manager

“When it comes to charity, ​many people stop at nothing...”

-  Anonymous