News

UNITED WAY OF ELKHART COUNTY RAISES $2.1 MILLION

January 27 2010

UNITED WAY OF ELKHART COUNTY RAISES $2.1 MILLION  ELKHART, IN.-  United Way Board of Directors announced during their scheduled January board meeting that the 2009-10 campaign yielded over $2.1 million dollars.  This is a significant increase of over $400,000 from the previous campaign.   

Several contributing factors were responsible for this increase in giving; including an anonymous gift of $200K received in December.   Local businesses also represented a major increase with 9 local companies more than doubling their previous workplace donations and 8 local companies who increased their workplace giving by $10K or more.  These companies’ campaigns increased in performance in spite of difficult economic situations even within their own companies.  By encouraging more employees to get involved, increasing special events to add fun to their campaign, and having United Way professionals talk to employees about the importance of the United Way mission, more people were compelled to give.   

  The United Way of Elkhart County attempted several new fundraising strategies which paid off. They instituted a new “Community Incentive Raffle” offering big ticket prizes (donated by local businesses) to anyone who donated $3 or more a week.  The purpose of the Raffle was to help potential donors recognize it doesn’t always take a large donation to make a difference but many people working together can change a community. 

Due to the success of the 2009-10 United Way campaign, for the first time in several years, the United Way will increase the amount allocated for community impact projects.  In 2009, $671,653 was allocated to Community Impact Partners.  In 2010, over half a million additional dollars will be utilized for making an impact in Elkhart County.  On Monday, the Board of Directors approved an allocation of $1,184,000.   

These additional dollars will assist in United Way’s goals for innovation around key areas concerning education, income and health.   

A group of community volunteers make allocation decisions for the United Way each year.  On Monday, they recommended to the Board of Directors that in 2010, $418,234 be allocated toward making an impact in the area of education with the emphasis on improving high school graduation rates.  They recommended $167,120 be focused toward helping families become financially stable.  This included allocating dollars to LaCasa’s IDA (Individual Development Account) program which will assist 30 new families in purchasing their first home.  Finally, in the area of health, the volunteers recommended $167,120 be allocated toward improving people’s health.  Access to prescription medication is one of the areas that will see an increase of funding this year.  (see a list of community impact partners below) 

While over $2.1 million was raised, approximately $120,000 was designated by the donor to go to specific nonprofit organizations, other United Ways, and charities outside of the county.  Therefore, these funds are unable to be represented in the United Way of Elkhart County community impact allocation pool.   

In addition, as is standard practice, the United Way accounts for dollars that will go uncollected due to donor relocation or change of employment.  These dollars account for 10% of the current campaign equaling to $215,000.   

“Our 2009 Elkhart County United Way campaign had many successful highlights for which we are all grateful.” Commented Alex Strati, Old National Bank and 2009-10 Campaign Chair. “ To me, the common thread that was woven with in each of those success stories, is a community's willingness to solve it's own challenges. No one can predict when the economic challenges facing our community will fully subside but I am more confident than ever that, together, we will continue to take great care of our own, as evidenced by the generosity shown in our 2009 campaign.”

 2010 United Way Community Impact Partners I

NCOME:           
Emergency Assistance:                       
iFiT: Women’s Shelter                       
American Red Cross: Disaster Services                       
Salvation Army: Elkhart                       
Salvation Army: Goshen                       
United Way Food Network           
Adult Education:                       
iFit: Family Empowerment           
Financial Literacy:                       
LaCasa: Individual Development Accounts                       
LaCasa: Neighborhood Development  

HEALTH:           
Independence:                       
ADEC: Day Services                       
Council On Aging: Senior Services                       
Family Christian Development Center: Medicine Assistance                       
Harvest Basket: Senior Services                       
Heart City Health Center: Medicine Assistance           
Medical Self-Advocacy:                       
ADEC: Guardianship                       
United Cancer Services: Journey through Recovery 

EDUCATION:           
Ready for Kindergarten:                       
CAPS: Families First                       
CAPS: Healthy Families                       
Walnut Hill: Early Education Center           
Set for Middle School Success:                       
Boy Scouts: Scouting                       
Boys & Girls Club: Goshen Club                       
Boys & Girls Club: Kids Care                       
Boys & Girls Club: Middlebury Club                       
Boys & Girls Club: Nappanee Club                       
CAPS: Child & Family Advocacy Center                       
CARES: Reading Camps