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News Release

Last modified: Tuesday, February 24, 2009

IU Bloomington United Way campaign surpasses goal

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Feb. 24, 2009

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- Employees of Indiana University Bloomington topped their goal for the 2008-09 United Way campaign, raising $698,841 for programs supported by United Way of Monroe County.

The university campaign far surpassed its target of $670,000 and accounted for almost half the $1.4 million overall goal for the United Way of Monroe County "Live United" campaign. In 2007-08, the IU campaign raised $655,000.

"My heartfelt thanks goes to the Indiana University faculty, staff and students who stepped up during a difficult time for other traditional donors in Monroe County," said Kirk White, IU United Way campaign manager and director of community relations. "The campus campaign has exceeded all expectations. When the community need is likely to be greatest, our university family members have proven their desire and ability to help their neighbors."

"We are grateful for the many ways Indiana University faculty, staff and students positively impact this community," said Barry Lessow, executive director of United Way of Monroe County. "Their generosity during this campaign has created opportunities for many area residents, particularly those who are struggling to make ends meet or to rebuild their lives.

"Exceeding the campus fundraising goal means more than achieving a certain dollar amount," Lessow said. "It translates directly into opportunities for people in our community who need some assistance with the essentials of life and who are working to build the education and earnings to prepare for their family's future. This opportunity comes because the IU campus community knows how to Live United."

Highlights of the IU campaign included:

• 470 IU faculty, staff, and administrators donated to United Way for the first time.
• Among the new donors were 45 Vanguard Leadership givers who contributed $1,000 or more.
• 75 percent of IU campaign teams surpassed their goals.

Co-chairs for the IU campaign were Adelheid Gealt, director of the IU Art Museum, and John Graham, dean of the School of Public and Environmental Affairs. Leadership also included IU and Community Vanguard Chair Jim Grandorf, professor in the Kelley School of Business; and Campaign Coordinator Katie Harvey.

United Way of Monroe County is a nonprofit organization that improves people's lives by addressing critical needs today and working to reduce those needs tomorrow. Through its Community Action Fund, it allocates resources to 26 member agencies that address the most pressing human service needs in Monroe County. For more information, see www.monroeunitedway.org.

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