United Way of Washtenaw County surpasses $5.1 million fundraising goal for 2009
Washtenaw County adminstrator Bob Guenzel and his wife Pam applaud the news that the United Way surpassed its 2009 fundraising goal, at the group's annual volunteer celebration breakfast on Friday, Jan. 22.
Photo courtesy of United Way of Washtenaw County
A last-minute fundraising push helped the United Way of Washtenaw County surpass its $5.1 million goal for 2009, the agency announced at its annual volunteer celebration breakfast this morning.
Earlier this month, the United Way said it was still about $200,000 to $300,000 shy of its goal. The agency has been hit hard by the economy in the past few years, especially as large companies that historically would match employee donations - such as Pfizer - left the area.
“We did better than simply matching last year’s campaign total,” said 2009 Campaign Chair Tim Marshall, president of Bank of Ann Arbor. “Our projected total for 2009 puts us up $42,873 above last year.”
In total, the United Way projects its 2009 fundraising total to be $5,180,377.
At this time last year, the United Way was still $350,000 short of its $5.1 million campaign goal, but it hit the goal shortly thereafter. In 2007, the agency raised $6.1 million.
The United Way funds more than 50 health and human service programs through 35 local nonprofits. About 300 volunteers worked on the 2009 fundraising campaign.
“Our backs were up against the wall this year with the economic challenges we had,” said United Way Board Chair Steve Dobson of Dobson McOmber Agency of the Hylant Group.
Money that comes into the United Way is directed into the Community Investment Fund, which funds local nonprofits, or is restricted to benefit a specific agency. Last year, since overall fundraising had dropped from 2007, the United Way had to make cuts to some of the nonprofit groups it previously funded.
United Way spokeswoman Karen Gabrys said the community investment team is in the process of evaluating its allocations to local agencies, and nonprofits will be notified by late spring what their level of funding will be.
More than 200 people attended the annual United Way of Washtenaw County Volunteer Recognition and Campaign Celebration today, held at the Kensington Court hotel near Briarwood Mall.
The United Way continues to accept donations at www.uwwashtenaw.org or 734-971-8200.
Comments
uawisok
Fri, Jan 22, 2010 : 6:46 p.m.
11.8 % for overhead...lower than I expected....good work UW!!
Tom Joad
Fri, Jan 22, 2010 : 12:22 p.m.
Good luck, Haiti tapped everyone out...we've been brow-beaten to donate...I wanted to send blankets but was rejected
Top Cat
Fri, Jan 22, 2010 : 11:28 a.m.
What percentage of the money raised by the United Way actually goes to charitable organizations?
uawisok
Fri, Jan 22, 2010 : 10:54 a.m.
My Bad...here's the beginning history of the United Way;In 1887, a Denver priest, two ministers and a rabbi recognized the need for cooperative action to address their citys welfare problems. The Rev. Myron W. Reed, Msgr. William J. ORyan, Dean H. Martyn Hart and Rabbi William S. Friedman put their heads together to plan the first united campaign for ten health and welfare agencies. They created an organization to serve as an agent to collect funds for local charities, as well as to coordinate relief services, counsel and refer clients to cooperating agencies, and make emergency assistance grants in cases which could not be referred. That year, Denver raised $21,700 and created a movement that would spread throughout the country to become the United Way. Over 118 years later, United Way is still focused on mobilizing the caring power of communities and making a difference in peoples lives.
mdaum
Fri, Jan 22, 2010 : 10:54 a.m.
This is just an example of what a great community we are in. At a time when people were losing their jobs and homes, the community joined together and took a stand to help the needy.
sanrupp
Fri, Jan 22, 2010 : 10:51 a.m.
On behalf of United Way of Washtenaw County, 5 million plus thanks go to the community. There aren't enough words to describe the joy and appreciation felt by the volunteers. Sandy Rupp
uawisok
Fri, Jan 22, 2010 : 10:51 a.m.
Congrats United Way....especially needed in these hard time the generousity of the people of Michigan never ceases to give me hope for humanity. I am thankfull that Henry Ford II and the UAW teamed up and started the United Way back in the 60's.