Leaders of the United Way of Douglas County’s 2009 campaign will recognize campaign volunteers and workplace campaigns at an event from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesday at Maceli’s, 1031 N.H. The Lawrence High School Chorale will perform.
We’re not there yet.
But the United Way of Douglas County’s 2009 campaign is still ahead of where it was a year ago.
“We’re on track to do well,” said Erika Dvorske, the United Way’s CEO and president. “Our goal was about a 5 percent increase from last year. That’s where it’s really going to be tight.”
She said the campaign has raised 60 percent — or $1.08 million — of its $1.8 million goal. At the same point last year, the campaign had brought in 57 percent of its target to raise $1.72 million.
“This next month is pretty important for us,” Dvorske said.
Tough economic times have created a difficult fundraising environment the last two years, she said, and the United Way ended up not meeting its 2008 goal until April.
Scot and Jane Buxton, who are chairing the campaign, spent Sunday night signing letters as reminders for people who donated in the past but have not yet turned in pledges this year.
Scot Buxton said it’s normal for the United Way’s campaign to be where it is at this point. He said it appears donations would slightly surpass last year’s total, although it’s likely that final numbers will still fall short of the ambitious $1.8 million target — the campaign’s highest goal ever.
“At the same time, when you take a look at the realities of the economic climate right now and particularly the business climate, to do as well, if not hopefully a little better than we did the previous year, is a testament to the caring community we live in,” he said.
The pledge forms are still coming in, Dvorske said, because many people are waiting until near the end of the year. Douglas County is also home to a large population of commuters who sign their pledge forms at work in Kansas City or Topeka. Douglas County won’t get to add in those pledges likely until February.
The United Way distributes donations to 24 local agencies in the spring. A community impact grant is also awarded.
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UNIKU (anonymous) says…
They are always more worried about which chairperson made the most rather than how much the charities get. Its all about which chairpersons raised more than past chairs. This bank pres and his wife made more than this financial planner and his wife or this realtor and his wife. Donate direct to charities and take these people off the stage.
toe (anonymous) says…
If the deadline is extended indefinitely, they will always get close to their goal. A new trend at the United Way is a year round campaign. If you must waste money, do so on things other than the United Way. You may want to check this out. http://www.theuntiedway.org/
leedavid (anonymous) says…
For those thinking about donating to the United Way, simply know this 12% of your dollars go to administrative cost. Paying salaries and the like. Just give your money directly to the charity yourself.
kmat (anonymous) says…
Why do you people feel the need to bash the United Way?
Keep in mind, many employers match contributions. the dollars I donate are doubled. My employer paid out almost $10K last year in matching funds. Employees of my company would have to be morons to not donate and get their dollars matched.
Many of these charities don't get enough money from the general public and rely on the UW. If you gave enough, they wouldn't have to go to the UW.
Can you find something besides a charity to bitch about?
leedavid (anonymous) says…
Kmat because UW is gives money based on who and how they see fit. There is a review process and whatever organization has an effective mouth piece gets the money and those that can not present their needs as affluently as others do not. This makes UW more political than effective. How do I know? I served on UW boards in three different cities for eight years. Here's an example. Supposed someone sees the homeless shelter is on the UW list. They want to support the shelter so they give $100.00. But they did not designate the shelter. The board meets and determines the greater need is with the food bank. That's where the money goes - 12%. If the same individual wrote a check to the shelter they would get $100. Since 12% of contributed funds going to support functions, charities get even less than the collected funds budget states they do. UW is not a bad organization, and its integrity is beyond reproach with the exception of a few criminals that have been caught over the years. However, people have the right to know what they are getting into associated with UW.