United Way of Grand Forks, East Grand Forks & Area announces 2005 campaign outcome

January 30, 2006

Currently United Way of Grand Forks, East Grand Forks & Area has raised $1,019,297.90, of the $1,175,000, campaign goal.  This places United Way over the 86 percent mark on the campaign thermometer.

Although the 2005 campaign experienced setbacks due to many Hurricane Katrina fundraising efforts, local donors have met the challenge by maintaining or increasing their United Way donations and surpassing previous levels of giving. 

American Crystal Sugar Company’s campaign raised $37,740, a 19 percent increase over last year.  The University of North Dakota (UND) and Altru Health System also reached new record amounts raised ($83,794 at UND and $81,065 at Altru), and many professional and local business divisions have surpassed 2004 giving levels.  The Combined Federal Campaign (Grand Forks Air Force Base and other federal employees) also attained a significant increase over 2004.

Generous donations from individuals and the businesses in our community also helped offset a $50,000 reduction in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds. 

Overall, Shaun Havis, United Way of Grand Forks, East Grand Forks & Area’s Resource and Development Director, feels good about this year’s campaign.

“Our thermometer really does not accurately reflect the local giving efforts.  We have had an excellent year and have made a significant push towards reaching our campaign goal,” said Havis.  “We are actually looking at over a three percent increase over last year in donations if you exclude the CDBG reduction.”

Havis said because of the uncontrollable factors surrounding the CDBG funding and Hurricane Katrina, the United Way would like to achieve last year’s total raised of $1,144,000.

“Even though we may fall short of our goal, we are sincerely pleased with the community’s efforts,” said United Way’s 2005 Campaign Chairperson, Mark Rios.

The campaign cabinet and volunteers deserve many thanks for their efforts during the campaign.  They helped tremendously with the employee campaigns and will be honored for their assistance at the Annual Meeting Awards Luncheon on April 5. 

There is still time (until March 31) to make a donation and have it count towards the 2005 campaign.  You can contact United Way for a pledge card by calling (701) 775-8661, or simply mail a check to United Way, 406 DeMers Avenue, Grand Forks, ND 58201.

Stay posted for more details about the campaign and luncheon on our web site: www.unitedwaygfegf.com.

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For more information contact: Mark Rios, 2005 Campaign Chair, (701) 795-3440.

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