named programs · 1 · from sources
What they call their work
Charity Poker Run
Annual boating event that raises funds and awareness for Make-A-Wish Foundation and River Community Wellness Program through participant registrations, donations, and community engagement
activities · 4 groups
What they do
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Recreational Boating and Sailing Programs 3 activities
- Operates public boat tours under "Waves of Wishes" programOffers public boat tours during the annual event under the name "Waves of Wishes," with scheduled departures from Clayton and Alexandria Bay, allowing spectators to view the poker run and participate in the event experience.
- Organizes annual charity poker run boat eventHosts an annual boating event on the St. Lawrence River starting from Clayton Harbor Marina, bringing together participants, sponsors, volunteers, and spectators to support charitable causes. The event includes safety coordination with local authorities and provision of orange distress flags to all participating boats.
- Provides event logistics and infrastructure for participantsOffers free docking at Clayton Harbor Municipal Marina, free boat launch access at Mary Street Dock, and free boat trailer parking at Cerow Recreation Park and Clayton Town Barn during the annual event weekend to support participant needs.
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Charitable Grantmaking to Specific Causes 1 activity
- Funds charitable beneficiaries through grantmakingProvides financial grants to charitable organizations including Make-A-Wish of Central New York, River Hospital, local fire departments, chambers of commerce, and community organizations, with total donations reaching $839,000 cumulatively through 2025.
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Community Festival & Event Production 1 activity
- Hosts public events including block parties and fireworksOrganizes community engagement events such as a block party on Riverside Drive and in Alexandria Bay featuring boat displays, merchandise sales, live music, and a fireworks display at the 1000 Islands Harbor Hotel during the annual event weekend.
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Documentary Film Production 1 activity
- Produces documentary videos of event activitiesProduces and publishes videos documenting the annual charity poker run events, including recordings from 2019 and 2022, to promote awareness and preserve event history.
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financials · form 990 · fy2023
revenue
Total revenue$288K
Contributions & grants$242K84%
Program service revenue$00%
Investment income$00%
Other revenue$46K
expenses
Total expenses$266K
Program expenses0%
Admin / overhead0%
Fundraising100%
Salaries & benefits$0
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineFacilities
balance sheet
Total assets$85K
Cash$84K
Investments$0
Liabilities$0
Net assets$85K
Liquid reserves3.8 mo
4 years on record · 2020–2023 · YoY revenue +56.2%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2023
Who runs it
board members · 2
- COURTNEY RUTHERFORD — DIRECTOR
- KENNETH LALONDE — DIRECTOR
relationships · 57
Who they work with
- 1000 Islands Emergency Rescue Service Partner — Organization on which a committee member serves.
- 1000 Islands Harbor Hotel Partner — Host hotel for the 1000 Islands Charity Poker Run, providing accommodations and event-related amenities.
- Alex Bay Chamber of Commerce Partner — Receives donations from the organization.
- Alex Bay Chamber of Commerce Partner — Recipient of charitable grant funding from the event.
- Alexandria Bay Chamber of Commerce Partner — Receives annual donations from the organization.
- Alexandria Bay Fire Department Partner — Receives annual donations from the organization.
- Alexandria Bay Fire Department Partner — Receives donations from the organization.
- Alexandria Bay Fire Department Partner — Recipient of charitable grant funding from the event.
- Brier Hill Fire Department Partner — Receives annual donations from the organization.
- Brier Hill Fire Department Partner — Receives donations from the organization.
- Brier Hill Fire Department Partner — Recipient of charitable grant funding from the event.
- Cape Vincent Chamber of Commerce Partner — Receives annual donations from the organization.
- Cape Vincent Chamber of Commerce Partner — Receives donations from the organization.
- Cape Vincent Chamber of Commerce Partner — Recipient of charitable grant funding from the event.
- Cape Vincent Fire Department Partner — Receives annual donations from the organization.
- Cape Vincent Fire Department Partner — Receives donations from the organization.
- Cape Vincent Fire Department Partner — Recipient of charitable grant funding from the event.
- Capt. Thomson’s Resort Partner — Hotel partner providing accommodations for participants of the 1000 Islands Charity Poker Run.
- Cerow Recreation Park Partner — Provides free boat trailer parking during the event weekend.
- Clayton Chamber of Commerce Partner — Employer of committee member and collaboration point for event coordination.
- Clayton Chamber of Commerce Partner — Receives annual donations from the organization.
- Clayton Chamber of Commerce Partner — Receives donations from the organization.
- Clayton Chamber of Commerce Partner — Recipient of charitable grant funding from the event.
- Clayton Fire Department Partner — Receives annual donations from the organization.
- Clayton Fire Department Partner — Receives donations from the organization.
- Clayton Fire Department Partner — Recipient of charitable grant funding from the event.
- Clayton Harbor Marina Partner — Host venue for the event.
- Clayton Harbor Municipal Marina Partner — Host marina for the 1000 Islands Charity Poker Run, providing docking facilities for event participants.
- Clayton Harbor Municipal Marina Partner — Host marina providing docking facilities for event participants.
- Clayton Improvement Association Partner — Organization where a committee member serves as treasurer and board member.
+ 27 more
strategies · 4
How they approach the work
Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.
- Child-Focused Philanthropy to Promote Emotional Wellnessmethodology: wish-granting-for-emotional-wellnessBy directing funds to children’s wish-granting programs, we support emotional and psychological resilience in critically ill children, because fulfilling meaningful wishes generates hope, joy, and a sense of control during medical treatment.
- Event-Based Fundraising with Community Engagementmethodology: event-based fundraisingBy hosting a large-scale, recreation-centered boat event, we generate significant charitable funds and public awareness, because community participation in festive, shared experiences increases both donor engagement and giving capacity.
- Military Mental Health Support Through Targeted Givingmethodology: military-mental-health supportBy allocating donations to mental health services for active-duty military, we address post-traumatic stress more effectively, because targeted funding enables specialized, timely, and stigma-reduced care access.
- Multi-Channel Revenue for Maximum Charitable Impactmethodology: multi-channel event fundraisingBy combining entry fees, sponsorships, auctions, and merchandise sales, we maximize fundraising yield, because diverse revenue streams reduce dependency on any single source and increase overall community participation in giving.