United Way sets $1,275,000 fundraising goal for 2015

Every year United Way of Cascade County sets a bold goal for its Pacesetter fundraising campaign for local nonprofit organizations.

This year is no different, with a $1,275,000 goal announced Thursday night — a 5 percent increase above last year’s record-breaking goal.

“We have a lot to celebrate – both in having six years of record-breaking campaigns and the successes of our community impact work,” United Way of Cascade County President Gary Owen said.

Last year, United Way raised $1.2 million, which supported 27 local nonprofit organizations and United Way’s community impact work to improve education and increase on-time graduation, help more families become financially stable and independent and improve health in Cascade County.

Owen said that through grants to nonprofits, United Way will help 19,767 people in the coming year, but everyone in Cascade County is touched by efforts like Graduation Matters, which in just four years cut the dropout rate in half in Great Falls Public Schools.

Despite the increase in donations in 2014, United Way was still $500,000 shy of covering the worthy requests from area nonprofits. Knowing the need of our community, campaign volunteers set the bold goal to close that gap and raise $1,275,000.

“We still have a lot of work to do,” Owen said. “We have bold goals, and with the help of our nonprofit partners and the support of so many in the community, we know we’ll get closer to accomplishing them.”

United Way Campaign Chairman Joe Sullivan said the needs in the community are substantial, but people in Cascade County are generous.

“The impact of every donation, no matter the size, is significant and needed,” he said. “By reaching our goal this year, we will improve the lives of thousands of our friends and neighbors.”

There are 33 employers stepping forward to set the pace for donations to United Way of Cascade County this year, spurring on donations from various businesses throughout the community from now through October. Last year, Owen reported that these Pacesetter businesses accounted for 60 percent of the funds raised for the total campaign.

Thirty-three area employers are doing just that, stepping up to be United Way pacesetters. Their strong support accounted for 60 percent or more than $736,000 of the campaign total last year. The pacesetter campaign wraps up in October.

United Way Board Chairwoman Heather Palermo said the campaign funds are critical to advance education, financial stability and health — the three areas determined by United Way to be crucial to community improvement.

“United Way is expanding our reach in the community by both investing in local nonprofits and building partnerships on broader initiatives that help students succeed, families become financially stable and people live healthier lives,” she said. “Our work impacts the community and the community impacts our work.”

Reach Tribune Staff Writer Kristen Cates at 791-1463. Follow her on Twitter @GFTrib_KCates.

The 33 United Way of Cascade County pacesetters are:

Anderson ZurMuehlen, Benefis Health System, Bison Ford, Cascade County, Centene Corp., City Motor Co., city of Great Falls, Columbia Grain Inc., CTA Architects & Engineers, Davidson Cos., Embark Federal Credit Union, Energy West, FedEx, First Interstate Bank, General Mills, Great Falls College MSU, Great Falls Tribune, Herberger’s, Hoven Equipment, Hub International, J.C. Penney, Montana Federal Credit Union, NorthWestern Energy, Pacific Steel and Recycling, Peak Health and Wellness Center, Scheel’s Sports, Shopko, Stockman Bank, Target, UPS, US Bank, Wal-Mart and Wells Fargo.

How to donate:

United Way uses funds raised in its annual campaign to address Cascade County’s human service needs. Out of every dollar donated, 99 cents stays in Cascade County.

Any local nonprofit can apply for funds. United Way volunteers determine funding by looking at the community’s needs and the programs’ effectiveness. This year, 33 local programs at 27 nonprofits receive United Way funding.

In addition to the workplace campaign, people may give by sending contributions directly to United Way at P.O. Box 1343, Great Falls, MT 59403, by dropping them off at the office at 417 Central Ave., Suite 320, or donating online via its secure website at www.uwccmt.org.