United Way Luncheon

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United Way article

September 30, 2010

By Courtney Williamson

            The United Way of the River Cities is taking a new approach with its fundraising, the executive director said Thursday at a luncheon held by the SGA and Faculty Senate.

“The United Way of the River Cities wants to transition from the ‘transactional’ approach to addressing the root problems in the community and prevent crisis in the future,” Laura Gilliam said.

Gilliam and Cassey Bowden, director of resource development and marketing, spoke in the John Marshall Room of the Student Center.

The United Way of the River Cities now focuses on ensuring a safety-net of services, while also remembering the “No money, no mission” idea, according to Gilliam.

“United Way measures success by how many lives are improved in the area,” Gilliam said.

Last year, $1.4 million was spent from fundraising on various organizations, in hopes of impacting citizens.

This year, a new goal has been set.

“We want to see an increase of 15 percent in donors and measure success that way,” Bowden said. This increase is an additional 450 donors to the 3000 currently donating.

The United Way is looking to raise $1.25 million to address issues regarding drop-out rates, childhood obesity and substance abuse, Gilliam said.

“It’s not about the money; we want lives to change for the better,” Bowden said.

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