United Way of Greater Cincinnati has topped its 2016 goal to raise $62.1 million to improve people’s lives, announcing a projected final total of $62,115,000 at a luncheon today. The dollars raised will support strategic initiatives and programs throughout United Way’s 10-county region in 2017.
“I am amazed at the generosity of our community, and the commitment to United Way to make life better for all of us who live here,” said Ted Torbeck, CEO, Cincinnati Bell. “Many organizations and individuals increased their gifts to meet this goal, and I’d like to thank everyone who contributed to this year’s campaign. We did this together.”
Torbeck announced the 2016 campaign result to more than 650 energetic volunteers, donors, advocates, agency and community partners, and staff attending the finale luncheon at Duke Energy Convention Center.
“Reaching this goal is a shining example of our community coming together to create life-changing moments for individuals and families in our region,” said Robert C. Reifsnyder, president, United Way of Greater Cincinnati. “We are committed to ensuring children get off to a strong start and achieve success in school, helping families build financial stability, and providing people with the ability to live healthier lives. Whether you contributed a major gift or a dollar a week, we thank you.”
The dollars raised in the annual United Way campaign are critical to continuing progress and achieving results such as:
Participation in quality preschool directly affects kindergarten readiness and third grade reading rates. 58% of children are prepared for kindergarten in Cincinnati (Cincinnati Public Schools), up from 44% in 2006; 55% are prepared in Northern Kentucky. Half of all incoming kindergartners still lack preschool experience.
Getting 3,000 more families support through home visiting. 95% of children in United Way-funded home visiting programs are developmentally on track, yet only 20-25% of the at-risk families that need these programs are reached.
Getting 15,000 more people in in-demand jobs. More than 10,000 individuals have been trained for in-demand jobs since 2008; 78% obtained employment and increased earnings by an average of $7,500. 30% of our region’s residents are still not making ends meet.
“I want to thank Ted Torbeck for his time and dedication to leading this year’s campaign. He has invested a significant amount of time and resources over the past year to show us what it truly means to Live United,” said Carl Satterwhite, president/owner, RCF Group, and chair of United Way’s Board of Directors. “Ted has spearheaded the effort to focus our community’s resources and accelerate progress towards the Bold Goals through his leadership.”
The United Way of Greater Cincinnati campaign includes geographic campaigns conducted in Northern Kentucky, the Eastern Area (Clermont/Brown counties), the Middletown Area, and Dearborn and Ohio counties in Indiana.
Their results are:
Northern Kentucky, $4,424,998, chaired by Andrew T. Hawking, regional president, BB&T
Eastern Area, $1,507,564, chaired by David C. McNutt, senior vice president, American Modern Insurance Group
Middletown Area, $1,350,256, chaired by Anita Scott Jones, hospital relations manager/community outreach, Atrium Medical Center
Dearborn and Ohio Counties, $109,443
Major gifts provided a boost to the annual campaign. The campaign total includes a gift from one new Million Dollar Roundtable member, one new member of the William Cooper Procter Roundtable ($500,000), and four new members of the Frederick A. Geier Roundtable ($250,000). More than 11 new members joined United Way’s Centennial Society (gifts of $25,000), and 80 new members joined the Tocqueville Society ($10,000 or more).
The Vora Group was recognized as the top new business participant in this year’s campaign, with P&G once again holding the number one spot among the Top 25 supporters, with Katz Teller the number one Tremendous 25 supporter (the 25 highest per capita giving companies with at least 25 employees and 55 percent participation).
Among WOW Campaigns recognized for incredible achievement, AdvancePierre Foods was highlighted. The Top New Business supporter for 2015 increased its campaign contribution from $85,000 in 2015 to $258,000 this year.
United Way and The Health Collaborative partnered in the 2016 Step Up Challenge to benefit Gen-H, a community-wide health agenda committed to making health and healthcare a value we share across our region. A total of 19 companies participated to raise $229,500 for Gen-H. Michelman was the winner among companies with fewer than 1,000 employees, and GE won among companies with more than 1,000 employees.
The event included special recognition for a local volunteer, with the Clement L. Buenger Award for Leadership in Education presented to GRAD Cincinnati volunteer Randy Dunham for his passion to ensure every child succeeds academically. Dunham serves as the treasurer of GRAD Cincinnati and is also a member of the GRAD Finance Committee, and has helped raise more than $50,000 in donations and sponsorships to support GRAD scholarships and programs. Dunham also serves as an advisor for the Western Hills High School Key Club and is the chair of the Western Hills High School Local School Decision Making Committee dedicating his time to ensure that all students flourish.
The Corporate Heroes awards honor the top performing companies for employee volunteer hours. LyondellBasell was presented with the award for the highest per capita volunteer hours accumulated for a company with 10-199 employees, EY was honored for a company with 200-499 employees and Ethicon honored for a company with more than 500 employees.
So far in 2016, more than 300 local companies have dedicated nearly 75,000 hours to volunteering, giving people the opportunity to engage hands-on in local initiatives, programs and with community partners.
Although not in attendance at the event, Gary T. “Doc” Huffman, president and CEO, Ohio National Financial Services, was announced by Torbeck as the 2017 Campaign Chair.
The total announced includes contributions already turned in or reported, as well as estimated or conservatively projected final figures on a number of campaigns still underway. About 80 percent of the campaign has been processed or officially reported. The remaining projected amount must be finalized in the next few months.
“It’s important to realize that there’s still time left to make an impact,” said Reifsnyder. “Companies and individuals who haven’t finished their campaigns or pledged yet still have the opportunity to do so.”
United Way of Greater Cincinnati invests the money raised from the annual campaign in more than 280 programs, initiatives and community change efforts. The campaign is a fundraising partnership of United Way of Greater Cincinnati and the Greater Cincinnati-Dayton Region of the American Red Cross. Investments will be announced in December and will support the Bold Goals for Our Region.
The campaign began on August 24.