With a focus on celebrating United Way of Greater Cincinnati’s 100th anniversary and accelerating progress in achieving Bold Goals for Our Region in education, income and health, United Way campaign chair Kevin T. Kabat announced a goal of $62 million at today’s campaign kickoff on Fountain Square.
“We want to deliver a campaign that renews United Way’s path for growth and launches and shapes the next 100 years from a position of strength,” said Kabat, vice chairman and CEO, Fifth Third Bancorp.
“We are driving strategies that create sustainable growth by engaging new businesses, deepening involvement with Millennials and providing opportunity for donors who can contribute $25,000 or more,” he said.
UWGC president Rob Reifsnyder said, “We are so fortunate to have Kevin Kabat as campaign chair in our Centennial year. He recognizes the legacy of past leaders who have made our United Way one of the best in the country and is committed to moving our community forward and doing everything possible to help achieve the Bold Goals. Kevin has been working with us since last fall and brought new energy and ideas to the campaign.”
Kabat and Reifsnyder agree that the goal is a challenging one and will require an all hands on deck approach. If the goal is reached, it will be the first time since 2007 that the campaign has grown by $1 million or more.
“This will be a great accomplishment in United Way’s Centennial year,” said Kabat. “It will require each of us and our community to step up, but we are committed to reaching this target.”
Reifsnyder said, “Reaching this goal won’t be easy, but we are fortunate to live in a community filled with individuals, companies and foundations that are incredibly generous – and that recognize the importance of ensuring children get off to a strong start and achieve success in school, families have the financial stability that can come with gainful employment, and individuals lead healthy lives.”
Over the last six months, a team of more than 15 volunteers has confirmed more than $200,000 in commitments from new businesses. “This work is sustainable and will drive revenue in future years,” Kabat said.
“We’ve established a matching program for young professionals who get involved with United Way’s L.I.N.C. program and make new or increased gifts. We’ve secured more than 400 contacts among Millennials outside of the workplace campaigns. These contacts represent individuals from more than 50 companies that have no prior relationship with United Way and who are interested in engaging with United Way in efforts to make our community better,” he said.
Carri Chandler of Toyota will head the Northern Kentucky campaign for United Way’s bold goal. Brent Cooper of C-Forward and Kristi Nelson of Pomeroy are on her campaign team.
See UW’s Northern Kentucky campaign in an earlier NKyTribune story