United Way of Midland County’s community campaign will be continuing into November. They are encouraged by the outpouring of support thus far and are reporting pledges totaling $3,770,042 raised, which represents 80% of the overall campaign goal of $4.7 million.
“We could not be more thankful for how the community is showing up to offer help and hope,” said Holly Miller, President & CEO of United Way of Midland County. “We are inspired by the results to date and know that many organizations are running their campaigns later than usual. Continuing our campaign into November allows them to inspire their teams to invest their time, talents and even a portion of their paycheck.”
Miller added that several long-standing United Way partners recently launched or will be launching their workplace campaigns, including Trinseo, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Senior Services, IFF, Members First Credit Union, Great Lakes Safety Training and many others.
While workplace campaigns are still underway, local businesses are making exciting announcements of their own. Trinseo, IFF and Dendritech invest in our community as a company and by encouraging their employees to give. To help the dollars raised go further, each organization is offering their employees a dollar-for-dollar matching donation.
“I’m so encouraged by the way our local corporations and businesses show their support,” shared United Way’s Corporate Relationship Manager, Katie Bell Pearce. “They have so much fun and come up with the most creative ways to get their teams involved in the campaign. We are so grateful for their commitment to our community.”
Many other organizations like Feeney, Target, Home to Stay, Salvation Army, Ayre Rhinehart, Bone & Bailey and Chippewa Nature Center have all wrapped up their campaigns this week and have shown promising results. Feeney had a very successful campaign, raising more than ever before, while also seeing new givers and increased gifts from past donors.
United Way partner agencies continue to have fun with their campaigns. The Legacy Center for Community Success celebrated their campaign success this week by dressing up for Halloween. The staff got to choose their CEO, Kathryn Tate’s, costume – landing on Cruella De Vil from 101 Dalmatians.
At a recent Noon Rotary meeting, several partner agencies including Legacy Center, Hidden Harvest, Greater Midland, Red Cross, Cancer Services and Big Brothers Big Sisters all presented about how dollars invested in United Way impact their programs. As an added bonus, Kathryn Tate promised to make an appearance in her Cruella De Vil costume at their next meeting if the group could raise $200 during the lunch. They succeeded, bringing in nearly $300 to support the campaign.
An attendee of the Rotary meeting and long-time United Way supporter, Jim Nigro, Vice President of Sales at McKay Press, was so inspired by what he learned, he shared with the group that when he got back to the office he’d be increasing his gift this year.
“One thing that brings me so much joy when talking with our local businesses is how invested they are in learning about the programs United Way supports,” continued Pearce. “Sharing our process for how their dollars are allocated and the incredible work our partner agencies do is very inspiring to our supporters and helps them to better understand how their gift makes a big impact, especially for our most vulnerable neighbors.”
United Way measures success in how lives are changed, and they do not do this work alone. They partner with 27 dedicated nonprofits and invest in quality programs that show measurable outcomes every year. Together, they create new solutions to old problems and join with people from all walks of life to put those solutions into action.
United Way listens, asks questions and analyzes data to ensure that top issues are aligned with the most pressing needs. Dollars are invested in programs in the areas of Youth Success, Health and Household Stability because change is bigger than a single organization or program.
“You may not realize that volunteers determine how the community’s investment will be allocated,” shared Kim Stuhler, Associate Director of Community Impact at United Way. “Each year our volunteer panels devote nearly 30 hours reviewing applications, looking at outcomes, posing questions and hearing from our partners. Based on what they learn, these volunteers make funding recommendations to the United Way board.”
This process ensures that there is a high level of accountability and demonstrates the impactful ways that lives are being changed by the community’s investment.
The 2022 United Way campaign will continue through the fall and everyone is invited to be a part of it. To learn more about community needs, how dollars are invested for change, read an impact story, or find help, you can visit unitedwaymidland.org/2022campaign.
