OXFORD, Miss. – Following a record-breaking local campaign in 2012, the University of Mississippi is keeping the goal for its annual United Way campaign in line with last year’s.
The university has again set a campaign goal of raising at least $155,000 of the United Way’s $525,000 communitywide goal. The university fell just shy of its 2012 goal, so the faculty and staff members of the Ole Miss United Way Steering Committee decided to try again.
UM raised more than $153,000 in 2012, which was 30 percent of the community fundraising total.“Last year, we were able to reach our goal of raising over $500,000 for the first time ever,” said Katherine Drinkwater, assistant director of United Way of Oxford-Lafayette County. “This year, we’ve set our goal even higher.
“We would love to see the university’s fundraising goal climb right along with our own. While we’re aiming to raise $525,000, it would be great to see the university reach $160,000.”
The area campaign has already received more than in previous years through its Pacesetter donations (those given before the official 2013 Campaign Kick Off in September).
“Individuals and businesses throughout our community were generous enough to get the campaign started by donating and pledging more than $33,000,” Drinkwater said. “The organizations and programs that we fund have a focus area in the Lafayette County area, though some organizations do have programming throughout Mississippi’s northwest area.”
A campaign comparison placed UM fifth in the number of Leadership donors – designating gifts of $500 or more – among SEC schools in 2011. With 104 donors, the university was bested only by the universities of Florida (655), Missouri (258) and Alabama (196), and Texas A&M University (133).
Committee members encourage university employees to participate in Fair Share, Associate or Leadership giving plans. Fair Share givers contribute one hour’s wages each month to the United Way. Associate givers donate $250 to $499. Leadership givers contribute at least $500.
Ninety-nine percent of the money raised for United Way stays in Lafayette County to help fund 16 or more local charities, including Interfaith Compassion Ministry, American Red Cross, Family Crisis Services, Meals on Wheels, Boys & Girls Clubs, Leap Frog, Salvation Army, Boy Scouts of America and Girl Scouts of America.
All UM employees should receive pledge cards, allowing them to pay gifts in full or in installments through payroll deduction. Other fundraising efforts scheduled include intradepartmental competitions and student organization-led events.
For more information, contact Drinkwater at 662-236-4265 or at Katherine@unitedwayoxfordms.org