United Way director 'cautiously optimistic' about reaching fundraising goal

Friday, October 22, 2010

GREENCASTLE -- Chronologically halfway through its annual fundraising campaign, United Way of Putnam County is about just as far away from its fundraising goal financially.

With the nearly $85,000 raised toward reaching its $175,000 goal, executive director David English is "cautiously optimistic" the Putnam County chapter of the organization will reach its target come February.

The goal, he said, is not reached by the United Way, but rather by the community that supports it.

"It's your United Way and is only as strong as the community wants it to be," he said.

Putnam County's largest donors include diamond donor Wal-Mart giving $22,225 and platinum donors DePauw University giving $4,000, Old National Bank and Dixie Chopper giving $3,000 each and Duke Energy giving $2,420.

English said he's appreciative of every contributor to the campaign, from the largest donor to individuals who have given money.

"I value every penny that I get," English said.

With the national trends in philanthropic giving, English said he is still cautious about making the goal.

According to a Philanthropy 400 report released earlier this month, there was an 11 percent drop in charitable giving to the nation's 400 biggest charities, one of which is United Way. The survey accounts for $68.6 billion in charitable contributions; United Way raised $3.84 billion nationally, a decline of 4.5 percent over the previous year.

"We want to enhance services, not reduce them, and enhance the community with this economic impact," English said.

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