November 2, 2006

United Way goal is $325,000 for 2006-07

The 2006-07 United Way Campaign — with a goal of $325,000 — is under way. Last year’s campaign set a new record with $299,835 in contributions and pledges, representing an 8.9 percent increase over the 2004-05 campaign.

Faculty and staff who return their donor forms before the end of this year will be eligible to win airlines tickets, gift certificates and other prizes worth hundreds of dollars. Schools and departments with the highest rates of participation will have the chance to win one of five cash prizes.

The United Way supports nearly 350 beneficiary agencies and thousands of individuals in need, and donations from Northwestern faculty and staff are significant.

Contributions can be made by payroll deduction, personal check or credit card. Contributions of stock also are welcome. Consult a personal financial or tax advisor about the benefits of a gift of securities.

An option this year allows University contributors to “write in” donations to more than one million charities of their choice that are not United Way beneficiary agencies that are IRS-recognized nonprofit organizations listed at www.guidestar.org.

“Write in” donations are restricted to a minimum of $5 per month or $50 in lump sum if made through payroll deductions or personal credit card. There is no minimum “write-in” donation if a check is made payable to the specific charity. United Way will forward the check on the contributor’s behalf. Like other charitable deductions, “write ins” will count as part of each department’s participation rate and as part of the total record of the Northwestern United Way Campaign.

Donor forms that are returned by Dec. 31 — with or without a contribution — will be entered in a year-end raffle.

Once again the University will award cash prizes to schools and departments.

Staff and faculty will also be able to bid on as many other items as they like at the Third Annual Silent Auction to benefit the United Way from Nov. 10 - 20.