June 2026
WHERE GIVING MEETS COMMUNITY
Insights on local generosity, nonprofit work, and the needs shaping our region.
By Molly Aungst, Ronald McDonald House Danville director of marketing and events
Meaningful impact begins with connection. Whether it’s connecting nonprofit professionals with new ideas, volunteers with a cause they care about, or families with the support they need during difficult times, relationships are at the heart of stronger communities.
This message was reinforced during the Elevate2 Nonprofit Conference at Bucknell University last month, hosted by Community Giving Foundation and First Community Foundation Partnership of Pennsylvania (FCFP). Ronald McDonald House Danville staff joined other nonprofit leaders from across the Susquehanna Valley to exchange ideas, share wins and resources, discuss challenges, and explore new ways to serve our communities. It was a powerful opportunity to make meaningful connections with others passionate about making a difference in the lives of those we serve—an important reminder that nonprofits are strongest when we work together, building connections that allow us to create greater impact than any one organization could achieve alone.
Elevate2 also gave insights into new approaches for outreach and communication, such as adapting to evolving technologies like AI, in a way that best supports our work. Each organization in attendance shared common goals and a sense of pride and shared purpose in all the ways nonprofit work matters. We were motivated to carry back these lessons to make our organizations stronger and more impactful for our community.
Throughout the conference, speakers focused on the importance of storytelling and meaningful community connections, highlighting how authentic relationships often become the foundation for lasting impact. Sessions offered ways for organizations to share their mission, engage supporters, and build partnerships with volunteers, donors, and community partners. For the Ronald McDonald House, it reinforced the importance of sharing the stories of the families who call the Ronald McDonald House their home-away-from-home and the impact community support has on keeping families close to the care they need during an uncertain time.
In 2026, Ronald McDonald House Danville is celebrating 45 years of serving families. Attending Elevate2 was more than a professional development opportunity for our staff—it was a chance to reflect on our mission and discover new ways to continue serving with compassion and care, while also strengthening our outreach efforts, community partnerships and the ways we tell our story. We have served over 440,000 guests through our programs and look forward to serving more families for years to come.
At the Ronald McDonald House, every meal served, every room prepared for a new family, and every guest or volunteer welcomed through our doors is made possible through the generosity and dedication of our community.
We are grateful to the Community Giving Foundation and FCFP for offering opportunities to remind nonprofit professionals that meaningful impact begins with connection—connection to our mission, to each other, and to the people and families we serve. Those connections strengthen our organizations, enrich our communities, and make lasting change possible—one family at a time.
