University Times

Results have been tallied for the University’s 2008 United Way campaign. The fund drive, which kicked off in October, garnered $561,904 in pledges.

More than half came in the form of “leadership gifts,” or donations of $1,000 or more. This year, 195 individuals stepped up to pledge a total of $306,503 in leadership giving.

Faculty and staff were responsible for $532,701 in pledges; retirees added $21,785 and special events brought in $7,418.

Pitt’s campaign drew a participation rate of 20 percent. Of 2,388 givers, 1,755 directed $277,532 to the United Way Impact Fund. The fund supports the 62 human services agencies and programs identified by United Way as best meeting the community’s most critical needs.

The fundraising effort fell short of Pitt’s $630,000 campaign goal and dropped from the 2007 campaign’s $601,525 total.

Anne Franks, manager of Pitt’s campaign and manager of human resources administration in Pitt’s Office of Institutional Advancement said, “Pitt’s faculty and staff have once again demonstrated their extraordinary generosity by supporting the United Way. This year’s campaign posted strong results given today’s economic difficulties by raising more than $560,000.

“Heartfelt thanks to the many volunteer coordinators across the University who dedicated their time and efforts to make this campaign a success.”

Franks noted that a web site developed by Samba Lampich and fellow members of the University Marketing Communications web team enabled campaign organizers to reach more members of the Pitt community and communicate with representatives, faculty and staff in a cost-effective manner.

—Kimberly K. Barlow