The United Way of the Bradford Area campaign fell short of its fundraising goal, but board members lauded the help of the community in raising $336,800.
“Your contributions are valued and greatly needed to help fund programs in our area,” said Jodie Wagner, board secretary and co-chair — with fellow board members — of the 2017 campaign.
Officials announced Thursday at the first Report to the Community that the appeal closed having raised $336,800, just $3,200 short of the goal.
At the event, Executive Director Mandi Wilton Davis highlighted many positives that came from the four-month fundraising process, including the number of donors who varied up, meaning they were existing contributors who increased their gift, or they were contributors who did not give in 2016.
“We had 46 contributing entities (totaling just over $12,000 in gifts) in 2017 that were not factored in 2016,” said Davis. “We also had 55 donors who increased their contribution from the year prior, totaling over $19,000.”
She said the staff is excited to build on those numbers as they look forward to the 2018 campaign.
“However, we also recognize that with the ups, there are some downs. We saw several contributing entities either slightly decrease their gift from the previous year, or unfortunately not give at all, which essentially negated the increases that we saw,” Davis explained. “We will spend the next few months analyzing our data to determine the best ways to not only retain the relationships we’ve established or built upon this year, but also developing new recruitment tactics.”
Karen Costello-Pecht, board vice president, said that while the local organization recognizes the financial hardships and difficult times that are present in the local area, everyone on the board remains grateful to those who are able to contribute and help the United Way to continue its mission.
The Report to the Community also featured an update on the McKean County 2-1-1 system, as well as recognition of the employee workplace campaigns who experienced 100 percent participation for the 2017 campaign.
Costello-Pecht said she was very thankful to each employee for continuing their generosity, but also “to the managers and campaign coordinators who believe so strongly in the United Way’s mission, and promote its purpose positively among the workforce.” She and Lauren Bly, board treasurer, acknowledged the following as the 2017 100-percent participants: Bradford City Fire Department; Bradford OECD; Bradford Sanitary Authority; Bradford Water Authority; CARE for Children; Hamlin Bank-Bradford; and the YWCA Bradford.
Wagner also stressed that, while the campaign fell ever-so-slightly short of goal, the local United Way does not anticipate any reduced funding to any of the funded agencies.
“Like Jodie said, your dollars matter,” said Costello-Pecht. “There are so many important programs and services that continue to benefit from the generosity of our donors, and we are so very thankful that we can continue to make an impact on our family, friends and neighbors because of your kindness.”
With money raised during this most recent endeavor, the local United Way office will — on a monthly basis — be able to fund 16 local organizations, supporting 24 programs and services, who applied for funding from the RFP process in the fall of 2017. Those agencies include: A Partnership in Housing Inc., Alcohol & Drug Abuse Services; BRMC’s Meals on Wheels; CARE for Children; CASA of McKean County; Catholic Charities; Destinations Bradford; Evergreen Elm; Futures Rehabilitation Center; Greater Bradford Senior Activity Center; Growing With Grace Christian Preschool; McKean/Potter Counties Chapter of the American Red Cross; The Family Center – Bradford; The Salvation Army; YMCA of the Twin Tiers – Bradford Branch; YWCA Bradford.
Additionally, there will be funding available to organizations through quarterly allocations from the Community Impact and Community Innovations streams. The first quarter Community Innovations recipients were Bradford Ecumenical Home Inc.’s Silver Strengthening program and McKean County Arts Council’s community outreach programs. Community Impact recipients included CARE for Children-Pediatric Therapy and Early Learning Professional Training; Dickinson Center-Psychiatric Rehabilitation Program; Evergreen Elm-Therapeutic Swimming Program; McKean County Historical Society – general programming; and McKean County Special Olympics- Aquatics program.
While this was the first Report to the Community hosted by the United Way, officials are planning this to be an annual event.
For more information on the local United Way, contact the office or visit www.uwbanews.org.
