Commentary: Encouraging To See Funds Raised By United Way
Every year, the metro Atlanta community raises tens of millions of dollars for United Way agencies and initiatives – primarily through workplace giving campaigns.
United Way just announced its results for 2015-16, and the community raised $77.8 million – the most money it has raised in the last decade.
There were other encouraging signs.
For the first time in years, the number of undesignated gifts increased. When donors designate money to their preferred nonprofits, United Way doesn’t have the flexibility to invest where they believe the gifts will have the greatest impact.
Another piece of good news: There were 140,000 donors to the workplace giving campaign – an increase of 10,000, from the previous year. As the workforce changes and more people become self-employed or work from home, the nonprofit has had a hard time keeping pace with its workplace giving campaign.
Leaders of Atlanta’s United Way – CEO Milton Little and campaign chairman David Mangum of Global Payments – credited positive results to a more stable economy, a strong team and a better job of telling the story of how people’s contributions actually improve the lives of those in need.
This year, 18 donors gave at least $1 million. The biggest donor, Publix Supermarkets, raised $7.34 million. It’s the first time a donor in the Atlanta region contributed more than $7 million to United Way.
For the third consecutive year, Atlanta has the largest Tocqueville Society in the country. Tocqueville donors give at least $10,000 annually, and this year there were 1,056 of those donors.
Mangum said it was most encouraging to see such broad-based support for Atlanta’s United Way.
By helping others improve their lots in life, our community becomes stronger, and we all benefit.
Maria Saporta is editor of SaportaReport
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