AHS Nominated for Chase Charity Program

One Mount Vernon-area organization is trying to win a grant award through the Chase Community Giving program.

The program was established in 2009 as a way to help support local charities that use less than $10 million in annual operating expenses. This year, Chase customers and employees nominated each 501(c)(3) public charity participating in the voting round back in June and July.

The American Horticultural Society, which is headquartered at River Farm in the Mount Vernon area, is one nominee. According to the Chase program, the AHS’s mission is to open the eyes of all Americans to the vital connection between people and plants, to inspire all Americans to become responsible caretakers of the earth, to celebrate America's diversity through the art and science of horticulture and to lead this effort by sharing the society's unique national resources with all Americans.

Voting opened on Sept. 6 and ends on at 11:59 p.m. Sept. 19. The 196 charities with the most votes will share a total of $5 million in grant money.

The charity with the most votes will receive $250,000, but the rest of the award amounts are as follows:

• Charities 2-11: $100,000 each
• Charities 12-46: $50,000 each
• Charities 47-96: $20,000 each
• Charities 97-196 : $10,000 each

Anyone with a Facebook account automatically gets two votes to use, but both votes cannot go to the same charity. However, extra votes, which can be earned one of two ways, can be used on a charity previously voted for. Voters can receive an extra vote if they share the link to the Chase Community Giving page with their timeline. Voters get a bonus vote if someone on their friend’s list votes and also share the link to the Chase Community Giving page.

Chase customers can vote for charities on Facebook and at www.chase.com/chasegiving.