How to Participate

Together, we’re establishing a vital new philanthropic ecosystem in the Valley. Everyone has a role.

Holders of Donor Advised Funds (DAFs) are encouraged to give generously to mission-driven nonprofits, with the opportunity for Resilient Valley to match their gifts through Match My DAF.

Businesses, organizations, and individuals can contribute to the matching pool, supporting the entire nonprofit community and ensuring their dollars go even further toward vital causes.

Together, we can strengthen support for the nonprofits that support our communities the most. Together, we can protect the vision of a just, sustainable, and resilient future in our region.

Don’t sit on your DAF during this time of need. With federal funding cuts impacting the nonprofits you care about most, now is the time to give—and to give generously. Commit to spending down by10% more than last year by May 1st, 2026, and your gifts are eligible for dollar-to-dollar matches (up to $5,000) from our Match My DAF campaign. It is easy to participate:

1. Commit to giving more from your DAF.
Pledge to increase your DAF giving by at least 10% between December 2, 2025, and May 1, 2026. You’ll confirm this by submitting a short form (linked below).

2. Give generously to your nonprofits of choice.
Make grants to nonprofits with program work or are located in Hampshire, Hampden, or Franklin counties—as many as you wish. (Note: organizations that actively work to expand gun ownership rights, or have discriminatory policies based on ethnicity, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, or religious affiliation, will not be eligible for matches.)

3. Register your gifts for a match.
For each nonprofit you support, upload your DAF grant confirmation using the nomination form. You can submit as many forms as you like—each grant counts as a new chance for that nonprofit to be matched.

4. Watch for matching grant rounds.
We’ll award matching grants by lottery twice—after February 2, 2026 and May 2, 2026.

  • Most matches are dollar-for-dollar up to $5,000
  • Give early to increase your chances of getting a match! Submissions that are not matched during the first lottery will automatically be entered into the second round.
  • One grant will be selected at random for a $5,000 match

5. Encourage others to join.
The more donors who nominate the same nonprofit, the greater that organization’s chances of being selected for a match. Invite friends, family, and fellow fundholders to give through their DAFs or to the matching pool.

Submit Nominations | View FAQs

Don’t have a DAF? Your contribution to the matching pool is crucial to the Match My DAF initiative and the new philanthropic ecosystem emerging in the Pioneer Valley. All gifts to the matching pool will infuse area nonprofits with the resources they need to keep making a difference. To contribute:

1. Decide how you’d like to give.
You can contribute to the matching fund through your electronic bank transfer, credit card, check, Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD), a gift of stock, or even a DAF.

2. Make your contribution.

  • By check: Payable to Peace Development Fund, with Resilient Valley in the memo line. Mail to: PO Box 1280, Amherst, MA 01004
  • Online: givebutter.com/resilientvalley
  • By stock: Email Lora Wondolowski for transfer instructions.
  • Note: A modest 7.5% of your gift will cover administrative costs through the Peace Development Fund.

3. Mind the timing.
For your gift to be included in the matching pool in time for the lotteries:

  • Contribute by January 31, 2026 for the first round (February)
  • Contribute by April 15, 2026 for the second round (May)

4. Be recognized (if you’d like).
Contributors to the matching pool will be publicly thanked on the website and in campaign materials—with your permission.

Donate online now! | View FAQs

No registration needed.
There’s nothing you need to do to qualify. All eligible nonprofits in Hampshire, Hampden, and Franklin counties are automatically included when a DAF donor gives to you through the campaign.

Spread the word!
Let your donors know about Match My DAF through Resilient Valley—every DAF gift they make to your organization could be matched up to $5,000. The more donors who participate, the greater your chances of receiving a match. Check out our toolkit for resources.

How to receive your funds.
If your organization is selected for a match, Peace Development Fund (our fund sponsor) will issue your matching grant by check or ACH transfer in the month following each drawing.

See FAQs for full details.

Organizations must be located in or do work in Hampden, Hampshire or Franklin Counties of Massachusetts. Organizations that actively work to expand gun ownership rights, or have discriminatory policies based on ethnicity, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, or religious affiliation will not be eligible for matches.