University Times

Pitt hopes to raise $600,000 in this year’s United Way campaign, which runs Oct. 5-Nov. 12. The theme for this year’s campaign is “Live United for a Greater Pittsburgh.”

Last year, the University raised  $543,863, falling short of its goal of $600,000. Faculty and staff pledged $512,062; retirees contributed $23,752, and special events brought in $8,049.

Pitt’s 2009 campaign had a participation rate of  17 percent, slightly lower than the previous year’s. Although overall participation was somewhat lower, there was a 4 percent increase in leadership giving, that is, individuals who gave at least $1,000.

Of  2,066 givers, 1,431 directed $262,257 to the United Way Impact Fund, a pool of unrestricted contributions allocated to some 60 nonprofit agencies deemed by United Way to deliver measurable results in improving the quality of life in the county.

Donors can direct all or a portion of their donation to the Impact Fund or to a specific United Way organization.

A list of the United Way partner agencies is available by accessing the “How to Give” link on the Pitt United Way web site (www.unitedway.pitt.edu); other eligible organizations can be found by accessing the “Search Agency Codes” link.

Pitt’s United Way leadership team encourages donations to the Impact Fund. This year, the fund will focus on helping struggling families put food on the table; find and maintain employment; keep utilities active, and avoid home foreclosures.

The Impact Fund also provides support for programs to help the elderly, disabled individuals and children and youth. The fund’s community initiatives focus on motivating kids to succeed in school; preventing youth violence, and helping seniors to be healthy and safe at home.

Anne Franks, Pitt’s United Way campaign manager and executive director of administration in the Office of Institutional Advancement, said: “It was a testament to the generosity of the Pitt community that we were able to raise more than $540,000 in a year when so many people were struggling to make ends meet. In spite of the challenges, Pitt’s campaign was in the top 10 campaigns in Allegheny County. I am proud to be part of this amazing community of dedicated and generous people who were able to find a way to share what they have with others who were in even greater need. This year’s campaign, Live United for a Greater Pittsburgh, gives us the opportunity once again to support our friends and neighbors who need our help.”

The donation process has been streamlined this year. Payroll deduction is available on the Pitt-United Way web site; the site also provides a link for online pledging, as well as updates on the campaign. The campaign team is encouraging everyone in the University community to go paperless this year by pledging online.

Policies regarding donations include:

• United Way will not accept cash donations.

• Campaign officials ask that payroll deduction pledges be a minimum of $24 per year, deducted monthly.

Pitt will hold prize drawings on Oct. 15, Oct. 29 and Nov. 19. Participants who pledge online or return their pledge form to the Pitt United Way office at 107 Park Plaza, 128 N. Craig St., by noon on the day of a drawing will be eligible for that drawing as well as future drawings. Prizes include event tickets, hotel stays and restaurant gift certificates.

The Book Center will sponsor a Hallmark boxed holiday card sale Oct. 5- Dec. 11 with proceeds going to Pitt’s campaign.

For more information on the United Way campaign, contact Franks at 4-4089 or anne.franks@ia.pitt.edu.

—Peter Hart

Members of Pitt’s UW steering committee

Members of the  2010 Pitt United Way steering committee include campaign manager Anne Franks, Institutional Advancement (IA); and campaign co-chairs G. Reynolds Clark, community initiatives and chief of staff, Office of the Chancellor, and Maggie McDonald, associate vice chancellor for Academic Affairs, Health Sciences.

Other steering committee members are: Andrew Blair, Office of the Provost; Kenyon Bonner, Student Life; B. Jean Ferketish, Office of the Chancellor; Heidi Fonzi, Parking, Transportation and Services; Chris Kenyhercz, Office of Administration, Health Sciences; Debbie Pratt, Computer Services and Systems Development; Gwen Watkins and John Wilds, Governmental Relation; Trish White and Bill Young, Public Affairs, and Steve Zupcic, Community Relations.

Steering committee member Elaine Meisner heads the retirees’ campaign. Megan Marucco is the United Way representative.