United Way's remarkable campaign

ISSUE: United Way announces fundraising results
OUR VIEW: Incredible growth will change lives

During a news conference last Thursday afternoon, United Way of Central Kentucky announced results of the agency’s 2012 fundraising campaign. The finally tally: $1,162,606 and a new all-time high generated through corporate contributions, small business pledge drives and individual donations.

To say that total is remarkable would be an understatement. Remarkable falls short in fully recognizing the hard work that went into planning and carrying out the campaign. Most importantly, remarkable pales in describing the generosity exhibited across the agency’s five-county service area in making the recent campaign a record-breaking success.

Under the leadership of Executive Director Chris Wilborn, fundraising project chairman Scott Guenther and a long list of dedicated staff and volunteers, UWCK determined not to set a goal for the 2012 campaign. Instead, the agency purposefully shifted focus away from merely working toward a stated financial target to setting sights on its higher philanthropic mission of improving quality of life through education, income and health related services.

Was not setting a goal for the past campaign a potentially risky move? Some considered it was, fearing the community would view the $1 million threshold accomplished through the 2011 campaign to be the amount needed to fully cover unmet needs in the community.

We all know that simply isn’t the case. One million dollars is a big number. Even bigger, however, are the challenges and needs of struggling individuals and families in Hardin, Breckinridge, Grayson, LaRue and Meade counties.

Was not setting a fundraising target worth the risk? It certainly appears to have been based on an incredible increase in giving during the campaign.

The 2012 campaign marked a 12.7 percent increase over the previous year and the second year more than $1 million in funding was generated. Twelve new corporate partners joined the ranks of contributing businesses across the service area. And giving at the Leadership level by individuals giving $500 or more during the year increased to more than 420 members, up 56 percent over last year and now representing more than 35 percent of the total funding produced.

Again, these are remarkable improvements in every area.

The next step for UWCK involves disbursement of these funds to the many worthwhile agencies and organizations that touch the lives of so many. Last year, 18 qualifying organizations received UWCK grants. More than 80,000 people received services during their time of need through this money, illustrating prudence and good stewardship of the intended purpose of the dollars given. The deadline to apply for a UWCK grant is March 27.

To all businesses and individuals who pledged a dollar or more in making the 2012 campaign a success, the community says thank you. Because of your generosity, the lives of thousands of men, women, boys and girls in our area will be touched in a life-changing way. 

This editorial represents a consensus of The News-Enterprise's editorial board.