University Times

Pitt hopes to raise $600,000 in this year’s United Way campaign, which runs Oct. 5-Nov. 4.

Last year the University raised $610,609, exceeding its goal of $600,000. Faculty and staff pledged $579,770; retirees contributed $19,592, and special events brought in $11,247.

Pitt’s 2010 campaign had a participation rate of  18 percent, slightly higher than the previous year’s. Of 2,344 givers, 1,704 directed $279,300 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 “Donate Now” 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, individuals with disabilities, 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: “In terms of dollars raised, the 2010 Pitt United Way Campaign was the most successful campaign to date. This year, we are focusing our efforts on growing the dollar amount and significantly increasing participation across the University. Pitt has always been a strong community partner, and as the economy continues to present challenges, we are called once again to support our family, friends and neighbors who need help. This year’s theme, ‘Live United to Build a Greater Pittsburgh,’ is a reminder of why we give.”

The campaign’s donation process was streamlined last year. The result was that 84 percent of the pledges were made online through the My Pitt portal.

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. 14, Oct. 28 and Nov. 11. 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. 9 with proceeds going to Pitt’s campaign.

For more information, contact Franks at 4-4089 or anne.franks@ia.pitt.edu.

—Peter Hart