FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – U of A's United Way campaign closed with a strong finish the first week of November.

Originally set to end on Oct. 31, the campaign was extended a week to Nov. 6.

The campaign, "Now More Than Ever," launched on Oct. 1 with a goal of collecting $100,000 to assist area children and families in need. It ended by raising $80,065.

All donations to the U of A's United Way campaign go to the United Way of Northwest Arkansas, and 98 percent of that money goes directly to local programs, including children's centers, women's shelters, youth organizations, school districts, teen centers and more.

Deans Margaret Sova McCabe of the School of Law and Deacue Fields of the Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences were co-leads for this year's campus campaign.

"Everyone who worked on this campaign is grateful to all the faculty and staff who participated this year and to everyone who contributed," said McCabe. "And I want to thank all of the coordinators across campus who helped make this a success."

"The contributions from our campus community will support families, individuals and organizations in our area who are in need," said Fields. "This has been a challenging year for many, and donations from everyone associated with the university are greatly appreciated."

The U of A United Way campaign officially ended Nov. 6, but its website is still live, and online donations are being accepted until Dec. 31.

About the University of Arkansas: The University of Arkansas provides an internationally competitive education for undergraduate and graduate students in more than 200 academic programs. The university contributes new knowledge, economic development, basic and applied research, and creative activity while also providing service to academic and professional disciplines. The Carnegie Foundation classifies the University of Arkansas among only 2.7 percent of universities in America that have the highest level of research activity. U.S. News & World Report ranks the University of Arkansas among its top American public research universities. Founded in 1871, the University of Arkansas comprises 10 colleges and schools and maintains a low student-to-faculty ratio that promotes personal attention and close mentoring.