United Way of Southwest Georgia raises $817,636 in 2016 campaign

ALBANY — United Way of Southwest Georgia reached a 2016 fundraising campaign total of $817,636, down 7 percent from the year before. But officials with the organization said it is still showing momentum generated by a recent disaster that is expected to carry the organization into a strong fundraising effort for the upcoming campaign.

Campaign totals were announced at the annual meeting for the organization, also a time used to recognize businesses, organizations and individuals who supported the previous year’s campaign.

LaKisha Bryant Bruce, president and CEO of United Way of Southwest Georgia, said the severe storms that struck Albany in January gave more visibility to the organization and put it in the forefront of the public’s mind ahead of the next campaign, expected to start in September.

“People have seen we are more than just a fundraising campaign,” she said.

The goal for the campaign was the same as the prior year’s, which was to raise $850,000 of general public donations and $150,000 from a combined federal campaign, including federal employees and enlisted members of the military, making for a combined total of $1 million.

While the goal was not met, Bruce said the January storms offered a sense of energy and excitement to set up what will likely be a unique cycle for this year.

“We are preparing for our 2017 campaign,” she said. “We anticipate it will be a very important year for us as we repair the fabric of what our community looks like.”

The funding from the 2016 campaign is now expected to be divided up among the agencies served by United Way, Bruce said.

The pacesetters for the campaign, who started their fundraising efforts ahead of the traditional fall kickoff, were Belk, Target and UPS. Girl Scouts of America, Open Arms, Albany Area YMCA, WALB-TV and the city of Albany received increased giving awards. Open Arms received the Community Campaign Partner Agency Award, while MillerCoors and the city of Albany received campaign rejuvenation awards.

The Dougherty County School System received the Public Employees Superstars Award, while Procter & Gamble received the Community Ambassador Award for raising $257,954.99. Two businesses received the Caring Connection Award, including Publix, which raised $89,921.20, and SunTrust, which raised $16,474 and gave volunteer hours and project support.

During Fiscal Year 2016, United Way provided therapy services to 428 child abuse victims, helped 330 senior citizens make healthy lifestyle choices, offered 459 children after-school programming, involved 103 children in pregnancy prevention programs, and helped 132 people with disabilities and 63 people participating in employment and financial management.

Allocations were divided among four community impact areas in FY 2016, with 45 percent going to education, 30 percent going to basic needs, 20 percent going to health and 5 percent going to income.

United Way funds 24 partner programs under the governance of 20 nonprofit organizations in Baker, Calhoun, Dougherty, Early, Lee, Mitchell, Randolph, Sumter, Terrell and Worth counties.

The kickoff for the 2017 campaign is expected to take place in early September, at which time the fundraising goal for the campaign will be announced.