SIDNEY — For the past five years the Shelby County United Way launched their fall campaign in the middle of September and a short eight weeks later announced they have raised $1.3 to $1.4 million dollars. An amazing feat for a small community of under 50,000 residents. Their campaign unites companies, employees, families, and individuals to support their mission of driving impact and funding top tier impactful non-profit agencies and programs in Shelby County.
The COVID pandemic has impacted so many businesses and non-profits. Many businesses have rebounded and are performing much better than the challenging April and May where some had to shut down or furlough employees. Some companies are still feeling the effects of the pandemic where production demands and employee totals have been reduced. These challenges have impacted the Shelby County United Way’s payroll collection since April. Pledge loss from the 2019 campaign (Collected January 2020 thru December 2020) could exceed $100,000.
“A successful fall 2020 campaign will be critical to ensure consistent funding for our partner agencies and programs.” shares Scott Barr, president and CEO. “The organizations has built a reputation of consistent, high performing success for raising $1.3 to $1.4 million dollars where it is almost perceived as automatic. That will not be the case this year. We will need new donors, past donors to return, new companies, and increased gifts to meet the level of funding needed to fund our many agencies and programs. We are urging our very generous community to rise to the occasion and support the Shelby County United Way 2020 Annual Campaign.”
Many United Way partner agencies have seen increases in client demands during the past five to six months. In addition to the increases seen recently, 2019 was an impactful year. 27 partner agencies and programs served over 17,000 local residents. An additional 43 grants were awarded to community-based organizations. Gifts to the Shelby County United Way are changing lives Every Day, Every Hour, Every Minute.
The Shelby County United Way is a local 501c3 non-profit organization that has earned the highest rating from Charity Navigator seven out of the past eight years. Monies raised in the annual campaign are invested locally under the leadership and direction of our local volunteer Board of Directors and Community Allocation Volunteers. Through the first week of the campaign the campaign balance is $155,550. Donors can make payroll contributions with participating employers or make a one time or reoccurring donation by visiting www.shelbycountyunitedway.org or text SHELBY to 40403. Checks can be made payable to Shelby County United Way and mailed to P.O. Box 751, Sidney.
