Nonprofit United Way of Bartholomew County’s annual fundraising campaign hit its $4 million mark — and did so days before its end-of-March deadline.
The final total stands at $4,088,480.
United Way President Mark Stewart readily pointed out that this was the toughest campaign he’s ever led since assuming his post in 2012. But then again, he quickly pointed out that, paired with his agency’s first-ever COVID-19 Relief Fund reaching a total of more than $600,000, the combined total represents the strongest United Way fundraising ever — and all amid a health and economic crisis that left many without jobs, or with a serious concern about losing a job.
“So we’re thrilled for our (17) partner agencies,” Stewart said, adding that they should be allocated at least as much in funds as last year.
United Way’s drive is important because its 34 programs reach nearly one-third of Bartholomew County’s estimated 83,000 residents in some way, shape or form. Those programs range from senior exercise to youth sports to mentoring programs for youngsters in single-parent homes.
Its fundraising dollars go directly to the cause, since other resources cover United Way overhead and salaries.
Plus, United Way and its leading agencies have been focused in recent years on some of the county’s more pressing challenges such as families’ financial stability and job training for the unemployed or underemployed.
He said that a number of individual donors came through in recent days with large, one-time gifts that made all the difference. He’s elated about that, but also concerned about that means for the next campaign.
He also extended generous praise and gratitude to more than 100 fundraising volunteers known as campaign champions.
“People often forget that this campaign is run almost entirely by volunteers,” he said. “They’re the key ones making the campaign happen.”
But he also expressed gratitude for the work of his only paid fundraiser, Whittney Loyd, director of resource development. Plus, he specifically was impressed that, all planned 100 workplace campaigns scheduled at the beginning of the fund drive actually were completed — and often in the toughest of circumstances.
He acknowledged that many of those workplace campaign leaders were unsure how things would go — especially in light of some companies’ furloughs or cuts.
“Some were determined to do the campaign, but told us that some employees were scared about possibly losing their job,” Stewart said.
Others acknowledged that it was difficult to tell employees’ about United Way’s often-personal impact on residents just with an email when many employees were working remotely.
“It is very difficult to run a remote fundraising campaign,” Stewart said. “A lot of this information is very heartfelt. And it’s much easier to speak emotionally to people’s hearts when you’re standing face to face than when you’re on a video call.”
