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Official Rules for United Way of Central New York’s
Step Up Challenge 2026 – 2027
Sweepstakes will commence on July 1, 2026, and conclude on June 30, 2027.
The sweepstakes will include five (5) grand prize drawings. The random grand prize drawings will be supervised by The Bonadio Group officials or their assigned representatives whose decisions are final with respect to all matters related to this sweepstakes.
Entrants must have their principal residence or their principal place of employment in areas served by United Way of Central New York’s annual Community Campaign.
Winners for each grand prize will be selected on July 15, 2027. Entrants who win a Grand Prize will be removed from subsequent grand prize drawings.
To be entered in the grand prize sweepstakes, entry forms must be received by 11:59pm on June 30, 2027. Prizes will be drawn at United Way of Central New York’s offices at 980 James Street, Syracuse, NY 13203. Winners will be publicly announced by July 31, 2027.
United Way of Central New York, Inc. and other contest sweepstakes sponsors are not responsible for lost, late or misdirected mail or entries not forwarded to United Way in time to be eligible for any drawing.
Grand Prize winners will be notified in person or by phone, email or by registered mail. If United Way of Central New York, Inc. is unable to contact a potential Grand Prize winner despite reasonable efforts to do so, an alternative winner will be chosen. If the winner is not qualified to accept the grand prize, an alternative will be chosen.
Once a grand prize winner responds to contact, they will have 30 business days to accept their prize in person, and complete a waiver, at United Way of Central New York (980 James Street, Syracuse, NY 13206) during regular business hours (8:30am to 4:30 pm EST) or in-person with a United Way of CNY representative.
The odds of winning will be based upon the number of valid entries received.
Those who accept the StepUp Challenge to increase their annual gift to United Way by $1 per week ($52 per year), or begin giving to United Way at this level, and return their pledge card to United Way of CNY, and opt to enter the sweepstakes will be entered to win. No donation is necessary to enter or win.
A donation will not increase the chances of winning. An alternative entry form will be available during the sweepstakes on United Way’s website, unitedway-cny.org, or by sending a self -addressed stamped envelope to: United Way Step Up Challenge, United Way of Central New York, 980 James Street, Syracuse, NY 13203.
All entrants must meet and/or agree to comply with the following qualifications to receive a weekly or grand prize:
Winners must sign a Waiver and Release Form granting permission for United Way of Central New York to use the winner’s name and/or likeness for the purposes of advertising, promotion and trade in connection with United Way of Central New York without further compensation to the winner; and releasing United Way and participating corporations, their franchises, subsidiaries, suppliers, advertisers and promotion agencies, employees and agents from any and all liability arising out of participation in this sweepstakes.
Limit one entry per person. Sweepstakes void where prohibited or restricted by law. Illegible entries will be disqualified. Employees of United Way of Central New York, Inc. and their immediate families and other household members are not eligible.
Prizes cannot be transferred, exchanged, or redeemed for cash or other merchandise. Prizes are subject to, and winners are responsible for, all applicable federal, state and local taxes (IRS form 1099). United Way of Central New York is not responsible for gift certificates rendered invalid due to bankruptcy or closing of a prize sponsor business.
Winner names will be posted on United Way of Central New York’s website, unitedway-cny.org. A full list of winners will be available after September 1, 2027, and may be viewed on our website, unitedway-cny.org or obtained by sending a self-addressed, stamped envelope to United Way Step Up Challenge, United Way of Central New York, 980 James Street, Syracuse, NY 13203 requesting the list of all winners. All communications with respect to the sweepstakes should be directed to the foregoing address.
