Despite a number of accomplishments, the Mesa United Way’s 2011-12 campaign fell short of meeting its $2.825 million goal by $136,588.
As of Saturday, the final day of the campaign, $2,688,412 had been raised.
United Way officials knew from the get-go the economy would make this a tough campaign. But they upped the goal to $2.825 million anyway because of the rising need in the community. Many people who were once donors are now among those who have lost jobs or homes or have had their pay cut in the last few years.
In a recent Tribune story, Mesa United Way President Dan Wollam said that while the economy has improved, many people in Mesa are still struggling.
“There are a lot of people still out of work who are in danger of losing their homes, or they’ve lost their homes,” Wollam said. “Our 27 partner agencies do a fantastic job helping these people not just survive, but get back on their feet. We just can’t afford to fall even one dollar short of our goal.”
Linda Haskell, director of resource development, said Monday that even though the campaign didn’t meet its goal, “there were many, many good things that happened.”
For instance, more than 210 businesses participated in employee-giving campaigns, with 70 of those also donating a corporate gift and 110 increasing their donation over last year’s contribution. Twenty-one businesses were new to Mesa United Way or had returned after not contributing in previous campaigns. And more than 30 percent of the businesses also held food, clothing, and Christmas gift drives for at least one United Way-funded agency.
“The fact that these accomplishments came in the midst of difficult and uncertain economic times makes them even more inspiring,” Haskell said.
Money raised in the pledge campaign will go directly to the agencies funded by the Mesa United Way. Campaign funds are not used to pay the United Way’s administrative costs.
For more information or to find out how you can help, visit www.mesaunitedway.org.
Engaged Voter posted at 9:56 am on Mon, Jul 2, 2012.
"many people in Mesa are still struggling"
Indeed.
Struggling far too much to throw money away to a "charitable" organization that gives less than 12% of their donations to actual charities.
CeCe and the Trib, you guys keep forgetting to mention that...or answer inquiries as to the salaries paid at United Way...why is that?
Leon Ceniceros posted at 10:15 am on Mon, Jul 2, 2012.
Where did last year's "MILLIONS" go ...the year before that and the year before that ???
Personal donors can't be coerced like employees by their supervisors and management to donate (Delta Airl Lines tried that with me over and over again) to the United Was so that the CEO's can go to "filet mignon steak" Award Dinners and get another piece of worthless bling or certificate to put on their office walls or desk.
SHOW US WHERE THE MONEY GOES !!!!
az2008 posted at 10:25 am on Mon, Jul 2, 2012.
One thing to keep in mind is that the UW says a high percentage of donations go to charities. But, the way I understand it is, this is accounting magic. In the past, almost 90% went to overhead. When UW's reputation was tarnished, they got rid of their low-level staff, replacing them with volunteers provided by area corporations.
This "donation" of labor isn't counted the same way as cash donations. So, UW can say "x% of your donation goes to..." But, it's just that the percentage of your donation that goes to overhead is now more specifically targeted to executives. I.e., they're still bilking the system. They just hide it and make it look like they're living on less when all they did was change the form of overhead "donation" to donated labor.
Just give to your favorite charity and bypass this scammy middle-man organization. There are plenty of food banks, homeless shelters, etc.
Also, one thing to keep in mind. UW uses strong-arm techniques with employers. You're expected to give at work or your career is finished. Just give a *one-time* 1-5 dollar donation so that your employer doesn't view you as impeding their goal of 100% participation. You won't draw attention to yourself as a non "player." But, you're not really supporting UW in any appreciable way.
If you're a manager, that's a different story. You might have to do the "1% from every paycheck" to preserve your career. But, for the average worker, the one-time donation keeps you off anyone's radar screen. Shows you're trying to be a team player. But, doesn't help this scammy organization too much.
I worked with one guy who absolutely couldn't do the one-time $1 donation. It was a matter of "principle" for him. That was stupid. Choose your battles. Play the game to the level you have to play it, and speak out against United Way wherever you can. It's dumb to make yourself stand out over a tiny amount like this, possibly putting yourself on the list of next layoffs. Live to fight the bigger battles. Don't sweat the small stuff. Give United Way the minimum amount to satisfy your employer (usually just $1 so the employer can say they had a high level of participation). And then speak out against the United Way everywhere you can.
Voiceofreason1965 posted at 1:33 pm on Mon, Jul 2, 2012.
The degree of misinformation in comments section is truly breath-taking. Thank you to all of the volunteers who spearheaded the campaign efforts and to the many donors who contributed to help individuals and families in need. Your efforts are appreciated.
Engaged Voter posted at 3:57 pm on Mon, Jul 2, 2012.
"The degree of misinformation in comments section is truly breath-taking"
Please cite the misinformation...or apologize for your filthy lies.
As for the criminally corrupt practices of the United Way, it's no secret, and has been going on for decades. Many local charities have had enough of their theft.
And unlike Voiceofreason1965, I will provide sources for my information:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/obituaries/united-way-leaders-fraud-scandal-marred-charitable-legacy/2011/11/14/gIQALnwbMN_story.html
http://userwww.sfsu.edu/~nbaker/documents/united_way.pdf
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/04/28/AR2009042803701.html
Engaged Voter posted at 4:01 pm on Mon, Jul 2, 2012.
More evidence of the United Way's immoral, criminal activities:
http://thefiresidepost.com/2008/09/25/united-way-agency-corruption/
http://www.drudge.com/archive/111599/united-way-ceo-paid-12-million
"United Way of Central Carolinas CEO Gloria Pace King, whose $1.2 million salary and benefits are highest among 31 United Way organizations around the nation, has been told by the group's board to resign or be fired."
http://drjimbeaty.wordpress.com/2010/08/13/flash-united-way-kickoff-campaign-be-sure-to-give-at-the-office/
"Research across America shows United Way as one of the most corrupt, egregious money grabbers we face."
Engaged Voter posted at 4:04 pm on Mon, Jul 2, 2012.
"Thank you to all of the volunteers who spearheaded the campaign efforts and to the many donors who contributed to help individuals and families in need."
Such as? When I used to donate to United Way, I found that ZERO DOLLARS of my donation was going to the charity I had chosen. My money vanished amid "operational costs" and my charity got NOTHING.
Time to prosecuate these thugs as the greedy criminals they are.
Engaged Voter posted at 4:08 pm on Mon, Jul 2, 2012.
When people are paid MILLIONAIRE wages to run a nonprofit CHARITY...
Is anyone really so myopic that they need this spelled out for them?? Sheesh!
Engaged Voter posted at 5:58 pm on Mon, Jul 2, 2012.
Voiceofreason1965, I notice you went completely silent after bashing me and the other commenters...strange, considering that I supplied the sources for my claims.
You wouldn't happen to be on the United Way payroll by chance, would you? ;)
Rudy111 posted at 11:49 pm on Tue, Jul 3, 2012.
One thing that is important to remember about United Way is that each one os locally run and operated. So Mesa United Way has different by laws and is run in a completely different way than any other United Way. Mesa United Way's president and other workers dont make millions. I beleive that the current president makes somewhere around 70K. Also, Mesa United Way has set up a system where the corporate gift that companies give cover 100% of the administrative fees. That means that every penny that a regular person gives to Mesa United Way is given to local charities that benefit our community. Community volunteers allocate where the donations go so if you have a problem with where the money is going maybe you should consider being on the volunteer committee that determines what charities get money and how much they get. I realize that other United Ways have problems, but Mesa United Way does a really good job with the resources that it has.