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Milwaukee United Way campaign is halfway to goal
Published November 3, 2009 - BizTimes Daily
With a little more than four weeks left in its annual campaign, United Way of Greater Milwaukee officials today announced it has raised $24.4 million, or 54.2 percent, toward its $45 million goal.
Overall, United Way's 2009 Community Campaign is slightly ahead of 2008 pace. However, United Way officials say fundraising activity posted from last week was more than $500,000 below than the same week in 2008 - amid last year's unprecedented slow down.
The bright said for the United Way is that 127 out of 214 workplace-giving campaigns have closed reported increases. That equals 59% of campaigns completed.
However, United Way reports a lag in workplace campaign kickoffs this year. While 102 companies will launch campaigns this week, bringing the 2009 total active campaigns to 663, overall the annual drive is running about 50 workplace campaigns behind last year.
United Way officials say they are also seeing a lag in commitments for corporate gifts.
"We have seen great early returns in the workplace campaigns that have reported totals," said Stephen Roell, chairman and chief executive officer of Johnson Controls Inc. and 2009 United Way Community Campaign co-chair. "But what's concerning us is that corporate giving is running slower than last year. While many large corporations and foundations have contributed generously to the 100th Anniversary Fund, others just haven't committed gifts yet. The economy may be to blame in some cases; however there are organizations that we need to step up and hopefully they plan to, but we just haven't heard from them. And the clock is ticking. We really need them to give now."
The need for United Way services has never been greater. United Way's partner agencies report increases in the number of people seeking help – many of them first-time clients, the length of service required and the number of children receiving urgent resources. Agency directors say they depend on United Way to rally people to give generously because many of them are overburdened from the increased demand for services.
"When asked, people are giving generously. They really seem to feel strongly that United Way is the solution to many of the problems families are facing," said Sue Dragisic, chief executive officer of United Way of Greater Milwaukee. "When I am out in the community people ask me how United Way's campaign is doing. They really look to United Way as a barometer of hope."
United Way's 2009 Community Campaign runs through Dec. 10. United Way will invest the funds raised in the most critical needs of the community, including strengthening families and children, meeting basic needs, promoting self-sufficiency and breaking the cycle of poverty. United Way remained a stable base of funding for more than 160 programs in 2009 because of the funds raised in 2008.
For more information or to donate, visit www.reasonstogive.org.
