United Way of Greater Milwaukee & Waukesha County announced Thursday that its 2018 community campaign brought in $56 million, on target with the organization’s fundraising goal.
Following a record $60.36 million campaign in 2017, the organization lowered its goal to $56 million this year, citing the consolidation and closure of a few corporate partners, including Bon-Ton.
The campaign was chaired by Cristy Garcia-Thomas, chief external affairs officer of Advocate Aurora Health; David Gay, Milwaukee managing partner of Ernst & Young LLP; Don Layden, venture partner at Baird Capital partner at Quarles & Brady LLP; and Mike Rowe, chairman, president and chief executive officer of American Transmission Co.
“We’re proud to celebrate with everyone who contributed to our campaign in 2018,” said Amy Lindner, president of United Way. “It’s always the people behind the campaign that make a difference, and this year was no exception.”
United Way invests in more than 220 programs and more than 110 partner agencies, with a focus on the three core issues of health, education and financial stability. Investments from United Way of Greater Milwaukee & Waukesha County cover a four county region: Milwaukee, Waukesha, Washington and Ozaukee counties.
A dozen local companies contributed more than $1 million in employee gifts and corporate support. They include: Johnson Controls ($4.4 million), Fiduciary Management/T&M Partners ($3.7 million); Northwestern Mutual ($3.7 million); Aurora Health Care ($3.2 million); Rockwell Automation ($2.6 million); Baird ($2.2 million); We Energies ($1.7 million); BMO Harris Bank ($1.6 million); Harley-Davidson Motor Company ($1.1 million); Froedtert Health ($1 million); GE Healthcare ($1 million) and ManpowerGroup ($1 million).
This year’s campaign set a new record of 42,126 volunteer hours, with an estimated value of $1 million. Rockwell Automation clocked in the most volunteer hours during the campaign.
“We are so grateful to the many businesses and individual donors that continuously support United Way year after year,” said Mary Lou Young, CEO of United Way of Greater Milwaukee & Waukesha County. “It’s because of their support that United Way continues to fight for the health, education and financial stability of every person in our four county area.”
At the campaign celebration, Cory Nettles, United Way board chairman and managing director and partner at Generation Growth Capital, announced a new award, the “Linda McFerrin Award for African American Nonprofit Leadership” in honor of retiring United Way vice president of special projects. The 2018 award winner will be announced on Dr. Martin Luther King’s birthday.
“My wife Michelle and I are so proud to establish this award in recognition of Linda’s 42 years of leadership and service to United Way,” Nettles said. “A nonprofit leader will be selected by United Way’s Diversity Leadership Society and a grant will be made by United Way to the organization they represent.”
