Dear Friends,
The work of United Way of Southwestern Pennsylvania is more critical now than ever as contacts to our PA 211 Southwest call center continue to rise, with the most pressing needs consistently being housing, utilities, food, and jobs that pay family-supporting wages. In our five-county service area, a stunning 38% of households do not earn enough despite working at least one job to pay for the essentials of living.
Our Campaign Cabinet, comprised of nearly two dozen business leaders, is deeply committed to the mission and lasting impact United Way has on our community. In that spirit, we are focused on increasing contributions that are unrestricted, allowing United Way the flexibility to direct resources where they are needed most. These unrestricted gifts are essential to driving meaningful change. In fact, last year alone, they enabled United Way to support 1.48 million people. By giving without restrictions, we empower United Way to respond swiftly and strategically to our community’s most pressing needs.
Why give unrestricted? Unrestricted donations provide United Way’s team of subject matter experts the flexibility and opportunity to support agencies that are highly effective, innovative and knowledgeable about community needs.
Unrestricted does not mean unmonitored: In fact, it’s the opposite. Our staff are constantly in touch with partner agencies receiving unrestricted funding to help them stay on track and to monitor new and emerging needs.
Our staff are also highly efficient: United Way’s cost of doing business is about 12%, which is half of what monitoring organizations like Charity Navigator consider highly efficient. And, a recent economic impact study of United Way by PwC found that every $1 invested by United Way doubles in value, contributing $2 to regional GDP. That means that giving to United Way makes your charitable contribution twice as effective.
If you believe as we do that our region is stronger when everyone thrives, please join with us by giving to United Way personally and encouraging your company to start or grow its workplace campaign.
United for a thriving region,
Deborah L. Rice-Johnson
