United Ways Lead In Building Caring Communities

United Way of America
Wednesday, 8 August 2001

Alexandria, VA — August 8, 2001 — According to results released today by United Way of America (UWA), United Way annual fund development efforts reached a new high of $3.91 billion. Revenues from these efforts for health and human services were boosted by more than $140 million for a 3.8 percent increase over 1999-2000 levels. This is the fifth consecutive year that growth has outpaced inflation.

"United Ways across the country are bringing together key community stakeholders to work on the most pressing issues they face. And together, they are strengthening communities across America," said Ellie Ferdon, chair, UWA Board of Governors. "Once again, through their generosity and support, foundations, corporations, organized labor, families, individuals, as well as Federal, state, and local governments are choosing United Way to make a real impact in their communities."

Over the past year, United Ways collectively have leveraged almost $1 billion of additional resources beyond the campaign to help build stronger communities, for a total of $4.7 billion in leveraged resources. This is the first time that United Ways have collectively reported those resources leveraged beyond campaign totals and United Ways will continue to track and report these resources in the future.

Resources leveraged beyond the campaigns included: gifts for mobilizations such as Success By Six® and Bridges To Success® which are both geared toward helping children and youth succeed; government grants to support critical community-based health and human services; sponsorship of special initiatives; bequests and planned gifts, as well as volunteer time. United Way, the nation's leading community solutions provider, serves as a catalyst for resources that would not have otherwise been generated to support critical community initiatives.

As the largest generator of philanthropic giving for health and human services, United Way campaigns experienced growth in every geographic region. The largest growth by region was experienced in the South Central region (up 5.4 percent) and in the Southeast region (up 4.4 percent) over the last year.

Increased giving was fueled by gains in leadership giving – individuals gifts of $1,000-plus. Donors in this giving category placed a high value on the effectiveness of their charities and require measurable accomplishments. Their giving constitutes the fastest growing campaign segment this year, increasing at a rate of 10 percent over the last year and totaling $1 billion or 26.7 percent of overall campaign revenues.

Mrs. Ferdon attributed the past year of success to the fact that there continues to be an increased understanding that United Way is more than a fundraiser and that United Ways impact entire communities by helping to set specific agendas within those communities. She noted that one measure of United Ways' success is how the organization brings together diverse groups to focus on critical community needs. The fund-raising campaign is one more measure of the United Way's success, Ferdon added.

"At the heart of our success is our ability to link people who need help with those who can help," Ferdon said.

United Way/Crusade of Mercy in Chicago posted the largest major metropolitan area campaign total raising more than $96 million. United Way campaigns in New York City and Seattle ranked second and third, each reporting more than $93 million. United Way campaigns in Washington, DC and Atlanta round out the top five, each reporting more than $80 million.

Many United Ways experienced double-digit percentage increases in their campaign totals. Austin, TX with a 20.8 percent increase, led all major metropolitan areas, raising $20.5 million. Seattle, WA; Charlotte, NC; Columbus, OH; Madison, WI; Akron, OH; and Knoxville, TN each increased campaign totals by more than 10 percentage points over 1999-2000 totals.

United Ways' largest single source of revenue continues to be gifts from employees of corporations and small businesses who donated 49.6 percent of total campaign revenue. The next largest source is corporate giving at 23.2 percent of total campaign revenue.

United Parcel Service (UPS) conducted the largest workplace campaign with $47 million contributed by the corporation, employees and unions. The following corporations and their employees rounded out the top ten largest contributors: The Boeing Company, Bank of America, IBM Corporation, SBC Communications, Inc., General Electric Company, General Motors Corporation, Pfizer Inc., Publix Super Markets, Inc, and Wal-Mart Stores Inc.

For more information, or to contact United Way of America, see their website at: www.unitedway.org