The United Way of Greater Richmond & Petersburg has wrapped up its annual fundraising drive, coming in $500,000 over its goal of $17 million.
"I'm most proud ... that, in spite of a tough economy, we were able to reach and exceed our goal," said campaign chair Paul D. Koonce, the CEO of Dominion Virginia Power. "What that means is we will be able to go back to the agencies that provide the very critical care that is needed in this community and ... say to them that they will be able to continue that work for another year."
In 2008, program funding had to be cut after donations came up $3 million short of the agency's $20 million goal. United Way officials kept the 2009 and 2010 goals to $17 million.
Koonce said he is looking for more growth in 2011. "I hope it's a year we can start restoring the funding we took away," he said.
United Way's local CEO Sherrie Brach said, "It's been a challenging couple of years philanthropically for everybody, so it's nice to see things starting to move up a bit."
Friends Association for Children, which runs three child-care facilities in Chesterfield County and Richmond, saw its budget drop from $620,000 to $340,000 in recent years, said Executive Director John C. Purnell Jr. Among the organization's offerings is a curriculum-based program for infants and toddlers.
Purnell said fees are set on a sliding scale, and families pay based on income. The United Way funds are used to cover the difference between what it costs to run the program and what parents are charged. "Without that, it would not be possible," Purnell said.
Seventeen percent, or $2.975 million, of the $17.5 million will be used to cover United Way's operating expenses, Brach said. An additional $1.5 million goes toward United Way programs, such as Smart Beginnings, which prepares children to succeed in school by intervening early.
Thirty percent, or $5.25 million, is earmarked for specific programs at the request of donors. The remaining, unrestricted dollars are used to support 98 programs at 55 agencies in the counties of Charles City, Chesterfield, Dinwiddie, Goochland, Hanover, Henrico, New Kent, Powhatan and Prince George, as well as the cities of Colonial Heights, Petersburg and Richmond.
In 2010, more than 40 new companies joined the campaign, which helped United Way exceed its goal. Those companies raised a combined $200,000 through corporate and employee donations.
kgreen@timesdispatch.com
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