Last week we announced that the 2008 Monroe Community College United Way campaign kick off is just around the corner. This year ESL Federal Credit Union has generously established the $100,000 ‘Challenge for Change’ because they’d like to encourage you to join them, and United Way, in addressing our community’s most pressing issues. Issues like violence, homelessness, abuse, and low graduation rates. Issues that have no single cause, or any one solution to them.
When you give a first-time gift of $500 or more, or increase your current amount of giving to that level, ESL will contribute an additional $500 to the United Way, up to a total of $100,000. It’s a remarkable way to invest in our community and change lives.
All of us are very sensitive to the fact that not everyone can contribute at this level. But if you are close, this is certainly a great way to double the impact of your pledge.
We also wanted to take this opportunity to make you aware of another change effective with this year’s campaign involving designating your pledge to a specific United Way supported agency (other than the community fund). The United Way of Greater Rochester has made the difficult decision to deduct from a designated pledge a fee equivalent to eight percent (8%) or $20 (whichever is less). The fee is to offset spiraling processing costs. This type of fee on designated gifts is not new. Prior to 2001, eight percent (8%) of every designated gift was used to defray the costs of fund raising and gift processing. Before deciding that it had no other recourse than to reinstitute the transaction fee on donor designated gifts, United Way has, over the past three years, aggressively reduced costs. We hope this action does not discourage you from supporting this year’s campaign.
Peter Collinge <<mailto: pcollinge@monroecc.edu>>
Patrick Bates <<mailto:pbates@monroecc.edu>>
Co-Chairs 2008 MCC United Way Campaign
Patrick Bates
Purchasing
03/04/2008 |