• “An Evening With Robert Egger” A Huge Success 

• Letter from the Chairman

• 2007 United Way Community Campaign Raises Greatest Amount Ever!
• 2007 United Way Community Campaign Goal Announced
• 2007 Quick Facts
• Hartford teen honored with the United Way Community Campaign’s 14th Annual Courage Award.
• UWCA receives grant from Bank of America
• UWCA honors Earl J. Schofield with 2006 Community Service Award
• UWCA Working Families Initiative announced January 25
• 2006 United Way Community Campaign exceeds goal.
• Susan B. Dunn named president & CEO of United Way of the Capital Area
• Avon United Fund is ensuring children are successful
• 2006 United Way Community Campaign goal announced.
• More news and events

“An Evening With Robert Egger” A Huge Success 

Nearly 400 top executives, community leaders, and guests turned out on January 31, 2008 to hear Robert Egger, nationally renowned author, social activist and president and founder of D.C. Central Kitchen speak at “An Evening with Robert Egger,” at Saint Joseph College in West Hartford.   

Named by Non Profit Times as one of the 50 Most Powerful and Influential Leaders in 2006 and 2007, Robert Egger, author of Begging for Change: The Dollars and Sense of Making Nonprofits Responsive, Efficient, and Rewarding for All, delivered an enlightening and provocative talk to his audience.

Robert Egger highlighted the “ineffectiveness and waste and a startling lack of logic” in the nonprofit sector and called for reform of the $800 billion industry.  “I knew there had to be a better way,” said Egger.  In 1989, he started D.C. Central Kitchen by collecting unused food from local restaurants, caterers, and hotels and bringing it back to a central location where hot, nutritious meals were prepared and distributed to agencies around the city.  Its highly successful 12-week job-training program equips former homeless transients and drug addicts with culinary and life skills to gain employment in the restaurant business.

 Throughout the nation, said Egger, nonprofits control $3 trillion in assets, receive $250 billion in annual giving and employ eight percent of the nation's work force.  Yet despite such resources, the problems of hunger, homelessness and poverty persist.

Seated L-R are Robert Egger, keynote speaker
 and Tom Condon, Deputy Editorial Page Editor
 for the Hartford Courant.

"Poverty and hunger are tied to other battles.  It’s about education, child care, job training, AIDS work, drug counseling, affordable housing, and healthcare…It’s about connecting with the people we’re serving and partnering with others who share our vision,” Egger said.

Egger looks for nonprofits to be more innovative and results-driven, for corporate leaders to be more focused and responsible, and for citizens who contribute their time and money to be smarter and more demanding of nonprofits and what they provide in return.

“Don’t give to any organization that sets up the problem and not the solution.  Remember, pity isn’t a plan,” said Egger.

Egger told his audience “not to give up on pooled giving.  A steady check from a federated giving program like the United Way is an amazing tool that allows nonprofits to be strategic and to budget accordingly.”  Egger further stated “…if I had to wait at my mailbox every day for random donations, I’d either be out of business in my first year or still handing out cups of soup…”

Susan B. Dunn, president and CEO of United Way of the Capital Area, spoke after Robert Egger’s address and reminded the audience that “United Way believes it’s time for systemic change on how we and other non-profits do business. 

“United Way’s Working Families Initiative, which is currently in its second year of existence, continues to raise awareness of the challenges faced by working families while identifying and providing opportunities in which they can achieve financial stability. Since its inception 135 individuals were recruited as volunteer budget coaches and 12 working families have successfully completed the process,” said Dunn.

Dunn further reported that looking ahead to 2008 “United Way will help establish a new one-stop center managed by Hartford Asset Building Collaborative where working families will be able to access financial education programs, volunteer tax assistance, volunteer budge coaching and workforce services.  In addition, United Way will pilot a new virtual service model in partnership with United Way of Connecticut featuring a dedicated United Way 211 number that individuals will be able to call for information and assistance, 24/7.”

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2007 United Way Community Campaign Raises Greatest Amount Ever!

Hartford, CT (November 14, 2007).  Some records are meant to be broken, and the 2007 United Way Community Campaign did just that, raising $27,678,042, the greatest amount in its 83 year history.

The result is nearly $500,000 more than the $27.2 million goal announced on September 7^th, the official Campaign kick-off, and more than $900,000 over what was raised in the 2006 United Way Community Campaign.

Chuck Shivery, chairman of the 2007 United Way Community Campaign and chairman, president and CEO of Northeast Utilities declared ‘victory’ to a crowd of nearly 600 campaign volunteers and corporate and community leaders, celebrating the results at a luncheon at Pratt & Whitney, East Hartford.

Shivery noted that the record breaking result includes “what we have in hand and what we know is still to come … Once again, this community has shown its generosity and it’s been a total team effort. On behalf of those whose lives will be changed by your contributions, thank you very much.”

“Ten major corporations plus the United Technologies family of companies contributed more than two out of every three dollars raised this year, with the UTC companies the largest contributor overall,” said Shivery. “We are truly appreciative of the generous support these companies, and their employees, collectively provide in so many ways to our community.”

The United Way Community Campaign is the largest annual health and human service fund-raising effort in Connecticut and the second largest in New England. More than 200,000 employees in nearly 900 organizations in central Connecticut are asked to participate in the workplace campaign. The funds raised are distributed through non-profit agencies for programs and initiatives that change lives and improve conditions.

The campaign was guided by a volunteer campaign cabinet of leaders from organizations such as the United Technologies companies, ING, TD Banknorth, Ernst & Young, LLP, Sovereign Bank Hartford Hospital, and representatives from organized labor and state and federal government. *

Additionally, 18 loaned executives representing companies such as Pratt & Whitney, The Phoenix Companies, Hamilton Sundstrand, UPS and Northeast Utilities among others were on “loan” or sponsored to work full-time on the campaign.

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2007 United Way Community Campaign Goal Announced

Press release               
For immediate release, 8:30 a.m. Friday, September 7, 2007

Hartford, Conn. (September 7, 2007)… “This is the largest Community Campaign goal ever announced for Greater Hartford and when we reach it and exceed it, it will be the highest about raised in this campaign’s 83 year history,” 2007 United Way Community Campaign chairman Chuck Shivery said as he unveiled $27.2 million as this year’s United Way Community Campaign goal. Shivery, chairman, president and CEO of Northeast Utilities System, ascended United Way’s three-story building in a Northeast Utilities System bucket truck to reveal the goal. He stood high above the audience as he announced the goal.

“This goal is ambitious, but we believe we can raise this and more,” Shivery said. “We just need to harness the energy and will power to do it.”

Shivery spoke to a crowd of more than 150 campaign volunteers, agency representatives and community leaders. “I know that with your enthusiastic support, we can light this goal up to help those in need in our community.”

The morning also kicked off the 16th annual Day of Caring. Over 4,200 employees representing. Activities include preparing and serving food at soup kitchens, harvesting food for food banks and pantries, landscaping and painting group homes and reading with children.

Now in its 83rd year, the annual United Way Community Campaign organizes fund- raising campaigns in more than 800 workplaces throughout its 40-town area to support programs and services of United Way of the Capital Area and Community Health Charities of New England. Details of how campaign funds change lives and improve community conditions can be found at www.uwcact.org

The amount raised this year is scheduled to be announced on November 14.

###
For more information or to arrange an interview with Susan Dunn, president and CEO of UWCA or Chuck Shivery, 2007 United Way Community Campaign Chairman, about the campaign, contact Matt Broderick at 860 493-6822 or mbroderick@uwcact.org.

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2007 Day of Caring Quick Facts

The 2007 United Way Community Campaign, Day of Caring XVI provides an opportunity for employees of local companies to volunteer their time at local non-profit organizations across the 40 town Capital region. 
This year, more than 4,200 volunteers from nearly 90 local companies were scheduled to lend a hand at more than 300 project sites for 179 nonprofit agencies throughout the 40-town capital region as part of Day of Caring XVI.

•     Day of Caring is open to all non-profit organizations serving the Greater Hartford community. It takes place this year on Friday, Sept. 7, 2007 and marks official kick off to the United Way Community Campaign.
•     More than 4,200 volunteers will participate in this year’s Day of Caring. The first Day of Caring took place in 1992 with 430 volunteers.
•     Since the first Day of Caring, the cumulative value of volunteer time is estimated to be nearly $2.75 million. For 2007 alone, volunteer time is valued at more than $280,000**
 •    Day of Caring projects include volunteer activities such as painting, landscaping, meal preparation, reading to children, building handicapped ramps and socializing with senior citizens.
•     Beth Stafford, Manchester Area Conference of Churches, and Paul Kuehn, Northeast Utilities Systems are the 2007 Co-Chairs for Day of Caring XVI.
•     The United Way Community Campaign raises funds to support health and human services programs and initiatives supported by United Way of the Capital Area and Community Health Charities.
•     Since 1924, the United Way Community Campaign has enabled employees to support the communities in which they live and work through a single workplace fundraising campaign. In its 83 year history, the campaign has raised more than a half a billion dollars to change lives and improve conditions.
•     Dollars directed to Community Investment through the campaign help ensure successful children, strong and healthy families and a safety net of services across the 40-town Capital Area.

*    The dollar value of the Day of Caring volunteer effort is determined based on the average hourly wage ($16.88) of a person in the Connecticut workforce (Connecticut Department of Labor) multiplied by average number of hours volunteers contribute on Day of Caring (an average of four), then multiplied by the number of volunteers.

For more information, contact Matthew Broderick, Director of Communications at 860-493-6822. 

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Hartford teen honored with the United Way Community Campaign’s 14th Annual Courage Award

Hartford, CT – The United Way Community Campaign presented its 14th Annual Courage Award to Brittany Santiago Smith, 16, of Hartford on June 21, during the organization’s Jumpstart campaign training luncheon held at St. Joseph College in West Hartford. Smith, who just completed her sophomore year at Hartford’s AI Prince Technical High School, credited COMPASS Youth Collaborative, a youth development organization and United Way partner agency, for guiding her down the right path and making her success a possibility. As a sixth grader at Hartford’s Belizzi Middle School, Smith was regularly pressured to join gangs. She was an underperforming student with a poor reputation among teachers and had a propensity towards fighting. Through the COMPASS Youth Collaborative, Smith learned conflict resolution, anger management and study skills. Today, Brittany is an honor roll student, mentor, peer mediator, and part-time employee of COMPASS, working with 15 students daily. “Without COMPASS, I probably wouldn’t be in school or my grades would be down,” Smith said. “I’d probably be in the streets, thinking I’m tough.” On winning the Courage Award, Smith was both honored and reflective. “The Courage Award means a lot to me,” Smith said. “I overcame obstacles that seemed so big, but I made a change [in my life] and it’s very satisfying.”

(Pictured from left to right) Susan B. Dunn, president and CEO of United Way of the Capital Area; Catalina Santiago, Smith’s mother;  Brittany Santiago Smith, 2007 United Way Community Campaign Courage Award recipient; and Brad Drazen, NBC 30 News Anchor, who emceed the Jumpstart.

The Courage Award was established in 1994 to recognize an individual who has triumphed over adversity with the assistance of a United Way Community Campaign supported agency. Smith was nominated by Robert Pawloski, Executive Director of COMPASS Youth Collaborative. Jumpstart trained over 200 workplace coordinators from over 100 local companies who will lead the Community Campaign in the fall. Chuck Shivery, President, Chairman and CEO of Northeast Utilities is chairman of the 2007 United Way Community Campaign. Campaign contributions are invested in health and human services programs that change lives and improve community conditions in the 40-town Capital Region. In 2006, nearly $26.8 million was raised through the Campaign. The 2007 Campaign goal will be announced on Friday, September 7.

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UNITED WAY OF THE CAPITAL AREA TO RECEIVE GRANT FROM BANK OF AMERICA TO PROMOTE EARNED INCOME TAX CREDIT AVAILABILITY

Grants Part of National Initiative between United Way of America and Bank of America

United Way of the Capital Area today announced it has received a grant from Bank of America designed to help individuals and families in the greater Hartford region obtain tax preparation assistance and unrealized tax refunds through the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC).

This grant is part of a national partnership between United Way of America and the Bank of America Charitable Foundation that will provide $500,000 in grants to two statewide and 31 local United Ways.

“Bank of America’s generosity helps support and expand United Way’s efforts in the Greater Hartford area to promote a critical program that increases eligible families’ access to the tax credit and, in turn, makes a financial investment in our community,” stated Susan B. Dunn, president and CEO, United Way of the Capital Area. EITC campaigns, as they are commonly called, typically include outreach to eligible tax filers; free tax preparation for low-income individuals and families (those earning under $38,000 annually) using volunteer tax preparers, financial education and other asset building opportunities. “Every year, billions of dollars in tax refunds are left unclaimed by the very people who most need those funds.

By donating both financial and human capital, we hope to help more Connecticut residents effectively navigate the tax system, access tax preparation services and secure the benefits of the Earned Income Tax Credit,” said Susan A. Rottner, president, Bank of America Connecticut.

“By supporting the United Way EITC program and others like it, Bank of America hopes to help underserved individuals and families preserve income and develop assets, and thereby advance the health and vitality of the communities in which we all live.” The Bank of America grant to United Way is supporting volunteer tax preparation sites in New Britain and Hartford. Last year, volunteer tax preparation sites in both of these cities resulted in more than $8 million in tax credits and refunds being returned to working families and local economies.

The median adjusted gross income of filers at last year’s Hartford free tax sites was $14,897 with the average refund being $1,433. Individuals may call 2-1-1, a service of United Way of Connecticut, to locate a volunteer tax preparation site.

About United Way of Capital Area
United Way of the Capital Area is a nonprofit organization that has been meeting human care needs in the 40 towns throughout north central Connecticut for more than 80 years.
With its network of partner agencies, volunteers and community leaders, United Way takes a leadership role in changing conditions to improve lives in the Greater Hartford region. In addition to meeting basic human needs, United Way is committed to ensuring success for children and strengthening families.

About Bank of America Corporate Philanthropy
Bank of America has embarked on an unprecedented 10-year goal to give $1.5 billion to nonprofit organizations engaged in improving the quality and vitality of their neighborhoods. The bank will give more than $200 million in 2007, making it one of the most generous corporate donors in the world. Bank of America approaches giving through a national strategy called "neighborhood excellence" under which it works with local leaders to identify and meet the most pressing needs of individual communities.
Through Team Bank of America, bank associate volunteers contribute more than 500,000 hours each year to improve the quality of life in their communities nationwide. For more information about Bank of America Corporate Philanthropy, please visit www.bankofamerica.com/foundation.

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United Way hosts 82nd Annual Meeting Earl J. Schofield is 2006 Community Service Award recipient

Hartford, CT (March 14, 2007) … A record breaking number of guests attended United Way of the Capital Area’s 82nd annual meeting today which included presentation of the organization’s highest volunteer recognition to Earl J. Schofield of East Hartford.

The meeting was held from 5 to 7 p.m. at The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc. in Hartford. Guests gathered in the Wallace Stevens Theater to celebrate United Way’s accomplishments including results from its 2006 Community Campaign and progress in changing lives and improving community conditions in its 40-town service area.

2006 Community Service Award recipient Earl J. Schofield

The 2006 Community Service Award was presented to Earl J. Schofield, senior union EAP (Employee Assistance Program) coordinator for District 26 – IAMAW. Schofield provides counseling services for three Pratt & Whitney locations, Hamilton Sundstrand, UT Fuel Cells and several small job shops.

“For more than a decade, Earl has worked tirelessly to help us garner wonderful support from organized labor in the 40-town area,” says Susan B. Dunn, president and CEO of United Way of the Capital Area. “Earl reminds us that United Way and organized labor share a concern for the well-being of the working family in our community.”

During his more than 35 years as a union representative, Schofield’s community service efforts have continued to grow. He has recruited hundreds of walkers for Foodshare’s Walk Against Hunger and the March of Dimes WalkAmerica. He has organized and encouraged support for United Way supported drives for food, coats and toys. In 1994, he joined United Way of the Capital Area’s board of directors where he says he began to learn about the many United Way supported programs and services that are available to his co-workers and to the community at-large.

Since 2002, Schofield has been co-chairman of the Pratt & Whitney workplace campaign which has raised the largest amount of dollars in a single workplace for the last several years. In 2005 and 2006, he joined the United Way Community Campaign cabinet as labor representative. In that capacity, he has continued to raise awareness among local labor organizations about the campaign and the many programs and services it supports.

“The knowledge I gain from my United Way involvement is invaluable in my work,” says Schofield. “I’ve learned how to direct people to basic human needs like food and shelter; to financial literacy, childcare referrals, domestic, drug and alcohol abuse counseling and so much more.”

Schofield’s commitment to helping others is apparent in his ongoing efforts to learn and do more. In the last decade he has studied drug and alcohol rehabilitation counseling and earned credentials as a Certified Employee Assistance Professional, a Certified Labor Assistance Professional and a Substance Abuse Professional. He founded and is president of the Connecticut Chapter of Labor Assistance Professionals. In 2007, he was given an appointment as one of the Labor Committee members of the Employee Assistance Professionals Association.

Additional highlights

During the Annual Meeting, outgoing board chair Chandler J. Howard passed the gavel to incoming board chair

Raymond P. Necci. Howard, president and CEO of First City Fund Corporation, has served on the board since 1996. In 2002, he chaired the United Way Community Campaign, which raised $27 million. Raymond P. Necci, president & COO of CL&P and Yankee Gas, Northeast Utilities Systems, has served on the United Way board since 2005 and a member of the United Way Community Campaign Cabinet since 2003.

Board members elected during the meeting were:

Nancy Bernstein (Women’s Health/Evolution Benefits)
Howard Carver (Avon, CT)
Susan Christensen (Fox 61)
Sean Egan (KPMG LLP)
Kevin Flaherty (Sovereign Bank)
Laurie Londergan (Deloitte and Touche LLP)
John Patrick (TD Banknorth Connecticut)
Paul Pita (Pita Communications)
Christopher Wilkos (The Phoenix Companies, Inc.)

As a nonprofit organization, United Way has been meeting human care needs and taking a leadership role in changing lives and improving community conditions in the Capital Area for 82 years.

In 1924, United Way’s first fund-raising campaign goal was to raise $313,092 for 24 member health and human service agencies. That goal was surpassed by 20 percent, setting the stage for an 82-year tradition of support that continues today. In 2006, the United Way Community Campaign raised $26,775,731, exceeding the goal by nearly $600,000.

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United Way of the Capital Area Working Families Initiative

United Way of the Capital Area (UWCA) launched the Working Families Initiative on Thursday, January 25, 2007 to increase awareness of the challenges faced by hardworking families and, together with community volunteers, provide practical steps that can lead to financial stability. UWCA is committed to changing lives to improve community conditions while also ensuring that basic human needs are met. Ensuring success for children and strengthening families are among United Way’s priorities.

 “The Working Families Initiative complements this organization’s existing efforts to strengthen families by helping individuals increase income, build savings and gain and sustain assets,” said Susan B. Dunn, president & CEO of the organization. The initiative was announced following a speech by Pulitzer Prize winning author David K. Shipler at Saint Joseph College in West Hartford. Shipler spoke to an audience of nearly 400 attendees gathered at The Carol Autorino Center in The Bruyette Athenaeum on the campus.

Shipler is the author of The Working Poor: Invisible in America, which followed the lives of people who live just above or below the federal poverty level for six years and chronicled their successes and their challenges. In the book Shipler says:
 Their wages do not lift them far enough from poverty to improve their lives, and their lives, in turn, hold them back. The term by which they are usually described, ‘working poor,’ should be an oxymoron. Nobody who works hard should be poor in America.

 “The Working Families Initiative has three goals,” said Dunn, “First, we want to raise awareness around the issues of those individuals and families who are walking a financial tightrope. We have begun doing just that tonight with the speech by David Shipler. Second, we will continue to support programs to increase family income, savings and assets. And, third, we want to engage our community around these issues.”

 The Working Families Initiative is currently seeking volunteer budget coaches. Volunteers will be trained to assist working individuals or families to build and stick to a budget, to repay debt and improve credit if necessary, and to begin saving for the future. These are areas with which working families in the Hartford area have identified which they need help.

 More information about the budget coaches program and the training schedule can be obtained by emailing jthayer@uwcact.org or calling (860) 493-1114.

 The following volunteers have generously agreed to lead the initiative in 2007:
Honorary Chair, Denise Nappier, Treasurer, State of Connecticut and Co-Chairs John Bermel of Aetna, Corey Brinson of Day Pitney LLP, Scott Davis of Hilb Rogal & Hobbs, representing HYPE, and Deb Zawisza of The Phoenix Companies.

•  The Working Families Initiative builds upon programs that United Way already supports to address current conditions in its 40-town area. Conditions such as: 
  The 2006 Federal Poverty Level was $20,000 for a family of four.[i] An estimated 84% of those served through United Way of the Capital Area supported programs earn less than 200% of the federal poverty level or less than $40,000.

• 100,000 people in the Capital Area rely on emergency food programs. Forty percent are children and ten percent are senior citizens.[ii]

• More than one quarter (27%) of families seeking food assistance include at least one employed adult.ii

• 33,000 people in Connecticut experience homelessness in a 12 month period, 13,000 of these are children.[iii]

• Ninety-five percent of a sample of Connecticut Jobs First Employment Services customers in north central Connecticut had skills below 9th grade level in math and 55% had skills below 9th grade level in reading.^iv

• Connecticut’s unemployment rate in November, 2006 was 4.4%. The unemployment rate in Hartford and other UWCA priority towns is nearly double the state rate.^v

 i http://aspe.hhs.gov/poverty/06poverty.shtml
ⁱⁱFoodshare, http://www.foodshare.org/main.cfm?page=40
iii CT Coalition to End Homelessness, http://www.cceh.org
^vi The Connecticut Department of Labor’s Welfare to Work program is called Jobs First Employment Services. Data is from Capital Workforce Partners, October 2005. http://www.greaterhartfordreads.org/publications/
^vii Connecticut Department of Labor,  www.ctdol.state.ct.us

 Specifically, UWCA invests in programs and initiatives that:

• Improve literacy, including reading, writing math and financial literacy;

• Improve job readiness and knowledge with career-specific skills such as computer training as well as “soft” skills such as punctuality and communication;

• Increase income by connecting individuals with income supports and opportunities to build capacity for increased earnings;

• Build assets by promoting savings, homeownership and entrepreneurial opportunities. 

United Way of the Capital Area supported program outcomes in 2006:

Literacy:

• 556 participants improved their literacy skills in reading, comprehension and computer usage

• 95 percent were able to gain or retain employment or obtain citizenship.

Job readiness and skills:

• 75 percent of participants in job training programs learned useful job search skills, such as how to write a cover letter, prepare a resume, complete a job application and conduct themselves in an interview.

•  63 percent obtained jobs.

Increasing income and building assets:

• 4,186 people filed their taxes at free tax preparation sites supported by UWCA in Hartford and New Britain. These sites encourage low and moderate income workers to claim the earned income tax credit and other tax credits for which they qualify. The average earned income tax credit refund for these filers was more than $1,400 in 2006.

• 95 percent of participants in asset building classes and programs made progress in saving towards their goal of buying a home, starting a business or going to college.

• 221 participants in tenant relations and home buyer education classes were able to stabilize their housing or purchase safe, affordable housing.

The announcement event, An Evening with David K. Shipler, was made possible by the generous support of St. Paul Travelers. UWCA thanks the following organizations for making the Working Families Initiative possible: Hartford Asset Building Collaborative, Hartford Young Professionals and Entrepreneurs, Human Resources Agency of New Britain, Inc., Jewish Community Relations Council of the Jewish Federation of Greater Hartford, Jewish Family Services of Greater Hartford, Office of the Connecticut State Treasurer, United Way of Connecticut/2-1-1, United Way of the Capital Area Tocqueville Society Advisory Council and YWCA of the
Hartford Region, Inc.

For more than 80 years, United Way of the Capital Area has been committed to changing lives and improving community conditions.
Funds raised through the annual United Way Community Campaign support programs and initiatives that ensure success for children, strengthen families and improve community conditions.

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$26,775,731!
That was the amount raised by the 2006 United Way Community Campaign and announced on November 15, 2006 by John J. Patrick, Jr., chairman of the campaign and president and CEO of TD Banknorth. The campaign result exceeds by nearly $600,000 this year’s goal of $26.2 million that was announced in September.

The United Way Community Campaign is the largest annual health and human service fund-raising effort in Connecticut and the second largest in New England. More than 800 organizations in north central Connecticut conduct workplace-based fund-raising campaigns each fall to support the Community Campaign. The funds raised are distributed through non-profit agencies for programs and initiatives that change lives and improve conditions in the 40-town Capital Area.

More than 600 corporate and community leaders representing the participating organizations were on hand at the “Victory” luncheon celebration held at Pratt & Whitney’s hangar in East Hartford as Patrick announced the result.

“On September 8 when I announced the $26.2 million goal, I said that I believed we could raise $26.2 million and more. I knew that we needed to raise more because of the important work this campaign supports in the 40-town Capital Area. This very generous community did not disappoint,” said Patrick. “Once again, the degree to which this community cares about the lives of others is shown through its generosity. This is an extraordinary result for our community.”

More than 800 organizations representing more than 200,000 employees held fund-raising campaigns in the past three months. In addition to Patrick, the campaign was guided by a volunteer campaign cabinet of local corporate leaders from companies such as United Technologies Corporation, ING, Northeast Utilities System, Sovereign Bank, and Hartford Hospital.*

Additionally, thirteen executives representing companies such as Pratt & Whitney, the Phoenix Companies, Hamilton Sundstrand, UPS, and Northeast Utilities System among others, were on “loan” to work full-time on the campaign.

“Eleven major companies plus the United Technologies family of companies contributed two out of every three dollars raised this year, with the UTC companies the largest contributor overall,” said Patrick. “We are truly appreciative of the generous support these organizations collectively provide in so many ways to our community.”

In 2005, $27.2 million was raised through the Community Campaign.

2006 United Way Community Campaign Highlights

·          The 2006 amount raised, $26,775,731, is the third highest amount raised in the campaign’s 82 year history.  $27,175,017 was raised in 2005 and $27,002,985 was raised in 2002.

·          The 2006 goal of $26.2 million was exceeded by nearly $600,000 or nearly 3%.

·          Eleven major companies (Aetna, Bank of America, Hartford Steam Boiler, St. Paul Travelers, The Phoenix Companies, The Hartford, ING, The Hartford Courant, MassMutual, CIGNA and Northeast Utilities System) comprise the major corporate division which raised $11,374,909.

·          The United Technologies family of companies contributed $6,941,458 to support our community through the United Way Community Campaign and continues to be the top donor overall to the Campaign since 1996. The UTC group accounts for 26% of all dollars contributed this year.

UTC Division highlights:

Ø       The UTC Group has more than 80 employees who contribute $10,000 or more and are members of the Tocqueville Society. .

Ø       Pratt & Whitney raised $3.3 million.

Ø       Hamilton Sundstrand raised nearly $1,000,000.

Ø       United Technologies Corporation exceeded goal by 21 percent and raised over $800,000.

Ø       Otis raised more than $280,000.

Ø       Carrier has raised nearly $243,000 and is still counting.

Ø       UTC Fire and Security held its second annual campaign and raised more than $125,000.

Ø       United Technologies Research Center raised more than $150,000.

Ø       UTC Power raised more than $70,000.

·          Aetna employees contributed $1.6 million which was matched by a corporate gift for a total of $3.2 million.

·          The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc. raised nearly $2 million.

·          St Paul Travelers raised more than $1.7 million.

·          The Phoenix Companies raised nearly $1.7 million.

·          UPS raised $350,000, a 40 percent increase over last year.

·          ConnectiCare raised a record $215,000.

·          Hartford Hospital raised $210,000.

·          All of the local J C Penney locations combined raised more than $179 thousand.

·          Stanley raised $162,000 exceeding its goal of $150,000.

·          Twenty-six individuals gave at the Tocqueville level (individual annual gifts of $10,000 or more) for the first time bringing the total number of individuals recognized for giving to nearly 290.

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Susan B. Dunn named president & CEO of United Way of the Capital Area                                                                                                               Board appoints long-time Senior Vice-President to continue organization’s commitment to changing lives and improving conditions in the 40-town region

Hartford, November 8, 2006 – Susan B. Dunn has been named president and chief executive officer of United Way of the Capital Area. Chandler Howard, chairman of the board of directors of United Way and president and CEO of First City Fund Corporation, made the announcement today.

Dunn succeeds George Bahamonde, who died in July, 2006. The board of directors appointed her interim president and CEO on July 21, 2006. Dunn, who joined United Way of the Capital Area in 1990, was senior vice president under Bahamonde, responsible for marketing, which includes the annual $27 million fundraising effort, leadership giving and communications; and administrative services.  

United Way board members comprised the selection committee that chose Dunn as the candidate for full board approval. She is the fifth president of United Way of the Capital Area, which was founded in 1924, and the first woman to serve as the organization’s president.

“Susan has ably guided the organization through a decidedly difficult three and a half month period,” said Howard. “Her leadership skills, extraordinary commitment to United Way of the Capital Area, understanding of fundraising principles and community ties are key assets as we move forward. The board believes she has the ability and experience to guide United Way in the years ahead.”

Highlights of Dunn’s 16 years with United Way of the Capital Area include:

• Managed the annual United Way Community Campaign since 1998 and increased total dollars raised by 16%. In 2005 raised the most dollars in the organization’s 82-year history.
• Developed and executed the annual Non-profit Pulse Survey in 2004 which measures the demand for services, funding concerns and volunteer trends of local nonprofits .
• Instituted Day of Caring to kick off the annual fundraising campaign with 400 volunteers in 1992. In 2006, 4,000 volunteers participated in Day of Caring XV.
• Instituted Courage Award in 1994 to recognize a recipient of United Way supported services who had overcome adversity in his/her life.
• Created a development department in 1995 that, under direct supervision for four years, more than doubled the number of donors giving at the leadership level of $1,000 or more. In 2005, $12.9 million was attributable to leadership giving.
• Created a challenge match in 1995 to increase the number of donors giving at the Tocqueville level of $10,000 or more. Since 1995, the number of Tocqueville donors has grown from 52 to 267 and dollars raised from $700,000 to more than $4 million.

Prior to joining United Way, Dunn held a variety of paid and volunteer positions for West Hartford Community Education, the Junior League of Hartford and the Connecticut Children’s Medical Center.

Currently she serves on the board of directors of United Way of Connecticut and on the Early Childhood Research and Policy Council appointed by Governor M. Jodi Rell. She also serves on the United eWay Task Force appointed by the National Professional Council of United Way of America and on the board of the National Conference for Community and Justice — Greater Hartford Chapter..

Dunn is past president of the board of trustees for the Harriet Beecher Stowe Center in Hartford and served on the committee for the Equal Opportunity Dinner for the Urban League of Greater Hartford for many years.

She is a member of the class of 1993 of Leadership Greater Hartford and served on the board of directors from 1997 to 2003. In addition, she is a fellow of the American Leadership Forum, Class XV.

In 2002, Dunn was awarded the Junior League of Hartford’s President’s Award, the highest honor for the League. She is the second League member to be awarded this honor since the award was instituted more than a decade ago.

Dunn is one of the first women graduates of Fairfield University, Fairfield, CT with a Bachelor of Science degree in marketing, cum laude. She resides in West Hartford with her husband, Ned, and has three grown children.

About United Way of the Capital Area

United Way of the Capital Area is a nonprofit organization that has been meeting human care needs in the 40 towns throughout north central Connecticut for more than 80 years. With its network of partner agencies, volunteers and community leaders, United Way of the Capital Area takes a leadership role in changing conditions to improve lives in the Greater Hartford region.

The annual United Way Community Campaign provides the opportunity for people in our community to support the causes and nonprofit organizations important to them. Through United Way’s Community Investment option, donors’ gifts are invested in programs and initiatives to ensure success for children, strong and healthy families and improved community conditions. Programs and initiatives funded through Community Investment are researched and monitored by knowledgeable, experienced volunteers to be certain that they result in improved lives.

United Way of the Capital Area Presidents

Dates                           Name                                      Amount raised during tenure

1924 – 1949                Leroy Ramsdell                      $318,732 to $1,130,895

1950 – 1977                Jim Turner                               $1,171,245 to $6,282,947

1978 – 1994                Dale Gray                                 $7,017,444 to $23,509,000 (1993)

1994 – 2006                George Bahamonde              $20,800,000 to $27,175,017 (2005)

2006 –                           Susan B. Dunn 

United Way of the Capital Area 2006 Committee to Name a Successor 

Chandler Howard, chair, First City Fund Corporation

Paul Beach, United Technologies Corporation

Michael Cheshire, Farmington

Howard Carver, Avon  

Ron Copes, MassMutual Financial Group

Rich Kaplan, United Technologies Corporation

Susan Sappington, West Hartford

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Avon United Fund is ensuring children are successful.

Avon United Fund (AUF), an affiliate of United Way of the Capital Area, is committed to meeting needs of residents in the Avon community specifically in the areas of ensuring children are successful, strengthening families and improving community conditions. One growing need that AUF has identified is support for single-parent families and they are working to address this need.

One of the biggest challenges among Avon’s single parents who are struggling financially is the fear of asking for help in a town known to be affluent. Yet in their research, AUF learned that many families are in need of emergency food assistance. According to the last U.S. Census, more than 300 households in Avon earn income under $25,000 which is less than half of the state median income. A household of four earning $20,000 meets federal poverty guidelines of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

AUF volunteers also learned that nearly 20 children at Pine Grove Elementary School in Avon receive a free or reduced price lunch due to their families’ financial circumstances, and some of these children were considered very needy and possibly at risk of being hungry during out of school hours. 

In response, during the spring of 2006, AUF partnered with Pine Grove Elementary School, the school’s Parent Teacher Organization, Wal-Mart of Avon, Foodshare (a United Way partner agency that receives funds through United Way’s Community Investment) and private sponsors to implement a pilot food backpack program at Pine Grove. 

Three students participated in the program from March through June of 2006, taking home a backpack full of healthy snacks on Thursdays to ensure they had enough food to eat over the weekend and returning it to be refilled the following week. The backpacks were sent home approximately 17 times filled with a total of about 119 pounds of food for the children. Additionally, outreach was conducted to all 600 Pine Grove families, encouraging those in need to use area food pantries.

After identifying the need for food assistance and recognizing the success of the food backpack program, AUF facilitated a public forum on food needs on Wednesday, September 20, 2006 in Avon to discuss the growing need for food assistance in Avon especially among single-parent families and senior citizens. Speakers included representatives from Foodshare, Avon Social Services, Avon Town Pantry and Gifts of Love.

As a result of the needs identified by AUF within the community, Foodshare announced that it would begin delivering fresh foods  - fruits, vegetables, meats and dairy products -  to pantries in Avon and Farmington on every other Tuesday. By gaining access to fresh foods in addition to the non-perishable foods currently stocked in the local pantries, people in need will be able to have more nutritious meals that support the growth and development of children and maintain good health in adults.

2006 United Way Community Campaign goal announced.

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