United Way of Greater Milwaukee’s annual community campaign collected $52.8 million, exceeding the organization’s initial fundraising goal of $52.5 million and exceeding last year’s fundraising total by $1.2 million.
“This is a wonderful achievement,” said Linda Benfield, managing partner at Foley & Lardner LLP’s Milwaukee Office and a 2013 Community Campaign co-chair. “We set an ambitious goal to help meet the growing needs in our community, and Greater Milwaukee has generously responded. Thanks to the people of this community, United Way will be able to invest in programs to improve the educational outcomes for our young people.”
In addition to supporting programs in education, campaign dollars will also benefit programs focused on income and health facilitated by more than 80 agency program partners.
According to United Way of Greater Milwaukee, campaign funds will help fuel more than 160 community programs serving individuals throughout Milwaukee, Ozaukee, Washington and Waukesha Counties.
Among this year’s campaign highlights was a $6 million contribution by Glendale-based Johnson Controls. The corporate donation fueled a new record, representing the largest annual combined workplace campaign total in United Way’s history. In addition, nine area companies gave more than $1 million in employee contributions and corporate donations as each company surpassed its 2012 giving total.
Milwaukee-based Northwestern Mutual generated $4.1 million for the community campaign, and Fiduciary Management, Inc., also headquartered in Milwaukee, gave upwards of $2 million for the first time.
Meanwhile, as United Way of Greater Milwaukee celebrates its 2013 totals, United Way in Waukesha County is in need of more funding for its current community campaign. The organization recently expressed concern in reaching its $4.75 million goal by its Jan. 31 deadline.
For more information about United Way in Waukesha County’s fundraising efforts, visit www.unitedwaywaukesha.org/give.
