United Way of RI LIVE UNITED Campaign; UWRI set 2008 Campaign Goal at $16.1 Million, Community Impact goal at $7.6 Million
 United Way of Rhode Island (UWRI) launched its 2008 LIVE UNITED Campaign and announced that its goal is to raise $16.1 million with $7.6 million going to support United Way's Community Impact Fund. Impact Fund contributions support UWRI's goal to address Rhode Island's most pressing social needs and to create long-term, positive changes to benefit future generations of Rhode lslanders.
Our campaign theme, LIVE UNITED, challenges people to become involved by giving of their financial resources, advocating through United Way for the causes in which they believe, and volunteering of their time, talents and energy to advance the common good.
The campaign is supported by an aggressive marketing and communications plan and robust workplace solicitation effort designed to encourage the engagement of an ever growing, broader audience in the work of UWRI. Elements include redesigned marketing collateral, a new campaign video and the participation of many well known Rhode Islanders who have lent their images and testimonials to the campaign. They are featured on our completely redesigned website, the Annual Report and in print advertising to appear throughout the fall.
Contributions to UWRI's Community Impact Fund are invested to attack the issues Rhode Islanders care about most. What's more, it's not only about helping people with immediate needs, but more about facilitating longer term solutions to head-off problems before they occur. UWRI engages subject matter experts and stakeholders from government and the business and social service communities to develop innovative initiatives that stimulate the production of affordable housing and reduce homelessness, create job training and employment opportunities for low skilled workers and provide opportunities for parents to participate in their kid's success in school and life. During the 2007 campaign, UWRI's fundraising efforts generated over $16 million, of which donors designated $7.6 million to the Community Impact Fund.
UWRI is fortunate to enjoy broad-based financial support from business, organized labor and individual donors. Last year, 440 Rhode Island based companies conducted United Way campaigns. In addition, some 230 faithfully committed donors each contributed $10,000 or more to the annual campaign, while another 2,005 each contributed between $1,000 and $10,000. The combined gifts of these individual donors aggregated to nearly $8.7 million.
We anticipate that the fundraising environment will be very challenging this year. The economic picture is less than bright, discretionary spending is down, and many people are tightening their belts just to make ends meet. It's in times like these when demand for social services increases and more people rely on the help of United Way. We hope that all who are able will continue to contribute, because their help is needed now, more than ever.
Best,
Tony | |
