UPAF campaign generates record $12 million

The United Performing Arts Fund blew past previous campaign totals this year after surpassing the $12 million mark.

The nonprofit organization, which supports and advocates for southeastern Wisconsin’s performing arts community, announced that its 2015 campaign pulled in $12,001,226. That total represents a 2.3 percent increase over 2014.

The 2015 campaign ran from March 3 through June 9.

UPAF has set new records during each of the past three years. This year, the organization sought to raise $11.86 million and exceeded that total through Workplace Giving Campaigns and gifts from area corporations, foundations and individual donors. The campaign was also fueled by the 2015 UPAF Ride for the Arts fundraiser and separate fundraising efforts led by UPAF’s member groups and affiliates.

While celebrating the success of its overall campaign, UPAF is still raising funds for its Westside Campaign, which folds into the broader campaign and benefits Waukesha County groups. UPAF is set on raising $1.6 million for Waukesha County.

The organization is confident it will meet its Westside Campaign goal in the next month as companies continue running Workplace Giving Campaigns, according to spokesperson Leigh Lane Peine.