United Way expects to finish below donation goal

While the 2010 fundraising campaign for United Way of Central Kentucky will fall short of its  goal of $1.1 million, the drive didn’t fall short of highlights and putting in place a rock-solid foundation on which to build future campaigns.

A recent sliding trend in contributions came to an end and several businesses are able to celebrate donation success stories with the 2010 United Way campaign.

United Way of Central Kentucky Executive Director Christopher Wilborn said the campaign ended Jan. 31, although some corporate contributions still are coming in.

He expects Tuesday’s total of $936,889 to climb to around $940,000 when every dollar and cent has been counted.

The 2009 giving campaign in the four-county area of Hardin, LaRue, Meade and Grayson counties finished at $921,631 — marking a second year of declining contributions.

“I am pleased that we challenged ourselves and challenged the community,’’ Wilborn said. “We were able to reverse the trend that we have been on and that’s something to celebrate. I’m very proud of where we are and the path that we have started down.

“The growth we had will head us in a positive direction,’’ he added.
Contributions had declined about $90,000 from the 2007 campaign to 2009.

Many businesses and industries made large leaps in their United Way giving. Accumetric Inc., for instance, had an increase of 137 percent in giving while The Cecilian Bank was up 71 percent, Metalsa 66 percent and Fischbach USA 62 percent. And First Citizens Bank had a participation rate of 98 percent.

“This is an indication of a county that has an inherent culture of giving,’’ Wilborn said.

Seventeen grant applications as of Wednesday are scheduled to be reviewed over the next few months as the task of allotting money to participating agencies is completed, Wilbron said.

He said last year a committee spent about 400 hours reviewing applications, he said.

“We take that amount of time to make sure we are the best stewards of donor dollars,’’ he said.

Nonprofit groups such as the American Red Cross, SpringHaven Domestic Violence Shelter and North Hardin HOPE benefit from United Way of Central Kentucky. Fifteen agencies and programs receive United Way money in the four-county area.
Jeff D’Alessio can be reached at (270) 505-1757 or jdalessio@thenewsenterprise.com.

RECENT CAMPAIGN TOTALS
2010: $936,889. Corporate gifts still being received
2009: $921,631
2008: $989,808
2007: $1,013,779
2006: $972,906