College gives Way beyond charity expectation Creative fundraising committee more successful than United Way anticipated

Author: Rachel Durfee

In a surprising success story, the Middlebury College United Way Campaign Committee raised $117,240 this year for the United Way of Addison County's annual campaign, exceeding its fundraising expectations. The heads of the College team - Programmer Analyst Liane Barrera, Dean of Advising and Assistant Professor of American Literature Karl Lindholm and Director of the Alliance for Civic Engagement Tiffany Sargent - were especially pleased with the impressive turnout, which marked a seven percent increase in dollars raised and an 11 percent increase in participation over last year. Said Barrera, "When we set our fundraising goal, we didn't know it would be the year of Katrina and the tsunami. People's giving capacity was being stretched, and to have increased our participation and donations despite all of that is an indication of people's willingness to help out with important causes."

Bonnie McCardell, who co-chaired the 2005 committee along with her husband, President Emeritus John M. McCardell, Jr., is quoted on the Web site as saying, "This is nearly $80,000 over last year's total and will provide substantial new funds to the community. Of particular interest is that the amount designated to non-United Way agencies went down this year so the new dollars will really make a difference."

The United Way Committee is made up of 292 College employees and the campaign is one of the only major fundraising efforts to reach across the entire campus. Barrera, who works with Library and Information Services, first became involved with the committee three years ago.

She cites United Way as an agency that supports everyone within the county and beyond, and enjoys motivating others to actively get involved. "We have to support our community first," she said.

Creative fundraising was done through raffles and an incentives drawing, with prizes provided by the Center for Fine Arts, the Snow Bowl, the Rikert Ski Touring Center, the Ralph Myhre Golf Course, MiddDining Services and the College Store, and a grand prize provided by Accent Travel.

Overall, United Way of Addison County raised $717,328.06, about 2.5 percent more than originally aimed for.

This year's fundraising efforts were made easier through the volunteer work of Chris Norris in ITS, who, along with Barrera, designed the College's United Way Campaign website and made online donations, primarily automatic payroll deductions, possible for the first time. Norris received special acknowledgement from United Way for his efforts.

Attention was also given to increasing the number of participants. At the beginning of the year, all faculty and staff were notified by paper mail of the drive and then kept updated throughout the year via email to reduce paper waste. Said Barrera, "The emphasis is just on giving what you can. It is all appreciated, and whether big or small, you always feel a sense of satisfaction when you give."

Founded in 1887, United Way is a national system of volunteers, benefactors and local charities that focus on helping their own communities.

According to the website, "United Way's mission is to improve lives by mobilizing the caring power of communities." The organization aims to identify and address urgent and long-term problems in local communities as well as fundraise to make the needed improvements.

The breadth of the system is impressive, boasting diverse partnerships with a multitude of people and organizations, such as schools, government agencies, businesses, organized labor, financial institutions, community development corporations, voluntary and neighborhood associations and the faith community. In 2004-05, United Way became the single largest private charity in the United States, raising $3.86 billion through the efforts of more than 1,350 local chapters.

Key issues for United Way include education and youth development, strengthening families through counseling and awareness programs, improving access to health care and promoting economic independence.

United Way of Addison County was established in 1968, and has committed itself "to funding human care service agencies that enrich the lives of those who live and work in the community." According to the website, serving as an umbrella organization puts the chapter in "a unique position to see what services are available, act as convener of organizations and be a leader in solving local problems."

Upon donating, the giver may designate their money to any 501c agency, even if it is not on United Way's official list. Otherwise, a United Way committee of Addison county residents allocates donations to the twenty plus funded agencies listed on the website.

Enthused by this year's positive response, the committee plans to increase donations and participation even more throughout 2006.

Barrera said, "We have a really great team. This is something we appreciate the College staff and faculty supporting, and I am always pleased to find out how generous people are."