University of Arkansas Annual United Way Drive to Kick Off Monday

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FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – The University of Arkansas has long supported the United Way of Northwest Arkansas through an annual fundraising drive.  This year faculty and staff are again encouraged to make a voluntary donation – but this time those donations will be made online, in a format designed to be eco-friendly and easy-to-use.

On Monday, faculty and staff will receive an email message from Truist, a program the United Way is using to facilitate the university’s campaign. That email will contain a link to the United Way campaign website and login credentials to access a personal giving page. The page is unique to each user and will provide information about the United Way of Northwest Arkansas and the local agencies it assists. That page is the portal to making a gift to the United Way directly or to designate a gift to any of the United Way’s 67 partner agencies in the area. Employees who live outside of Washington and Benton counties will have the option to support their local United Way first.

“Contributing to the United Way of Northwest Arkansas is a good opportunity for the University of Arkansas to lead by example while giving back to the community,” said this year’s campus co-chair Todd Shields, dean of the Graduate School and International Education.

“Additionally, it’s quite possible that you know somebody who works, teaches or studies in our campus community who has directly benefited from United Way agency services, given the broad scope of programs provided in our area alone. Your gift to the United Way helps them as well,” added co-chair Carol Gattis, associate dean of the Honors College.

The goal set for the university this year is $148,000 to be raised by Nov. 30.

United Way of Northwest Arkansas provides grants to more than 100 programs in the areas of education, income and health. Some of the programs that benefit annually from United Way grants provide access to quality, affordable child care and early learning opportunities; give opportunities for families to move toward financial independence; and increase access to affordable health care services.

Questions about the fundraiser or the United Way may be directed to Marcia Overby, the campus campaign coordinator, or Mike Williams, the United Way representative to the university. For those who prefer to make a gift using a paper pledge form may contact Overby.