A for effort for United Way
United Way campaign raised 91% of its $2,000,075 goal
The Peterborough and District United Way gave itself an A grade this year for raising $1.82 million – or 91 per cent – of its $2,000,075 goal for its 2016 community campaign.
“We’re very, very proud of that,” CEO Jim Russell told those gathered for a lunchtime celebration at the Holiday Inn, before announcing that the success of the campaign will mean partner agencies will get a 5 per cent increase in funding.
“And that is massive,” he said to applause.
The fundraising results were revealed in the form of a “Community Campaign Report Card” that was handed out to those in attendance, who were also given “thundersticks” noisemakers.
It noted that the Top 25 workplaces raised a total of $864,000 – 70 per cent of the total. Some 900 individual donors contributed more than $540,000.
While the report card included straight A’s in for aspects of the campaign, including volunteer leadership and dedication, community spirit and participation, collaboration and partnership and tenacity and commitment, it also offered an A+ grade for potential for growth.
Calling the campaign an “unmitigated success” after the announcement, Russell said any effort that puts the agency in line to increase funding to those who depend on it is a winning one. “That is what is important about this year’s campaign.”
United Way director of philanthropic impact Lisa Smith said the campaign was particularly special to her because it was the first she led and because it was the 75th anniversary. She praised the team beside her, lauding their tenacity and commitment.
“We dug deep. We never gave up. We never got tired,” she said.
Gwyneth James received a standing ovation for her service as campaign chairwoman.
She spoke of the yin-yang symbol and how it normally represents opposing forces that are actually connected, likening that to the forprofit sector she works in and the non-profit sector.
She told those gathered that she hopes she has increased local awareness of the United Way and the interdependence of the two areas during her time as chairwoman.
The United Way builds health, strong communities, she added. “I see the United Way as the hub of the wheel that runs our non-profit sector.”
The 75-year cumulative total now exceeds $73 million, Russell announced.
Earlier in his speech, he spoke about what people will say 75 years from now about what we are wearing, or if they will question what we were listening to.
“But they won’t question the look of pride ... the look of purposeness on people’s faces,” he said, adding that there is no doubt there is determination on the faces of those in the photographs from three-quarters of a century ago. “We come from that tradition.”
The United Way is about two things, Russell said. Understanding the needs of the community and mobilizing the community around those needs. “We’ve been about that for 75 years ... and will continue to be for the next 75 years.”
The 2017 campaign chairman has been selected and will be announced later this month.
Other speakers included Eileen Kimmett, who spoke of her enjoyment of taking part in the Paint the Town Red event, Peterborough and District Labour Council president Marion Burton and United Way board chairman David Fell.