United Way Campaign Makes Final Push

MADISON COUNTY, IN - With six weeks remaining, the United Way of Madison County reports $289,983 in pledges to date – nearly 30% of the $1 million goal announced last August. 

“Many workplace campaigns are still in progress and some are just beginning,” stated Nancy Vaughan, president.  “However, despite broad contact efforts by our volunteers to local businesses and individuals, pledges outside the workplace campaigns are behind where we would like to be.”

Acknowledging that the national economic climate is the likely factor in hesitation by both businesses and individuals to pledge, Vaughan encourages giving whatever is possible.
          
  The 1st annual United Way/Chamber of Commerce Golf Classic in July raised nearly $25,000 for both organizations with a record number of participants. The auction in October, held in conjunction with Hoosier Park’s Indiana Derby –raised $10,175.

Early campaigns have also reported significant increases in giving- United Parcel Service employees saw a 20% increase in employee giving over last year. In addition, Hoosier Park Racing Casino donated $25,000 to the campaign in early June at its grand opening. The Herald Bulletin has donated advertising support to the LIVE UNITED campaign, doubled its corporate donation and has seen a 32% increase in employee giving. Community Hospital Anderson saw employee participation increase by 3% and added an online auction to the workplace campaign which generated $3,500.

New givers to the campaign will want to know that they can double the impact of their gifts because Madison County is receiving support this year from a grant through the Indiana Association of United Ways funded by Lilly Endowment. The grant will award to Madison County up to $170,000 to match new and increased donations received by December 31, 2009.  The match is dollar-for-dollar for any individual or organization that increases giving, makes a new donation or pledges support to the Born Learning or CAN strategies.
 
“It’s important to have as many pledges in as possible by the end of November, because the board must approve a community support budget early in 2009, which will determine how much funding will be awarded to certified agencies’ programs and to the Born Learning and Community Access Network (CAN) strategies,” she said.  The 2008 fall fundraising campaign totals and projections will be reported at the Tuesday, December 16 report meeting at Anderson County Club.
 
Donors can also take part in a “STEP-UP” opportunity, which allows individuals to pledge a three-year leadership giving commitment to the campaign. Madison Way recognition will be awarded for a donation of $350 in the first year, $650 in the second and $1,000 by the third year. Other leadership levels include Active Community Investor at $150 in year one, $300 in year two and $500 by year three. A new “Emerging Leader” giving level has been added for new donors under 40 years of age that give $50 in year one, $100 in year two and $200 by year three. A volunteer commitment is also requested of “Emerging Leaders.”
 
Pledges may be made directly to United Way of Madison County by calling 765-643-7493 or donate by visiting the United Way‘s web site at unitedwaymadisonco.org.  United Way of Madison County supports human services throughout Madison County, Indiana and is governed by a 24 member volunteer board of directors. The organization has been a member in good standing of United Way of America since 1973.

Source: United Way of Madison County

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