The 87th U of A United Way Campaign begins Oct. 1 and runs through Nov. 5, and renewals are being accepted now with gifts for the first 200 repeat donors.

Co-chairs this year are Deacue Fields, dean of the Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences; Brian Primack, dean of the College of Education and Health Professions; and Rick Thorpe, deputy athletics director of external engagement with Razorback Athletics.

"Many University of Arkansas students, faculty and staff benefit from United Way programs," Fields said. "In addition, United Way funds are supporting a university community outreach program focused on family self-sufficiency. We all have friends, neighbors, co-workers or someone we know facing challenges. That's where the United Way can help."

The trio have announced a campaign goal of $100,000 along with two campus challenges. For the first time, a Dean's Challenge Award will go to the college with the highest percentage of employees making contributions, and a Department Challenge Award will go to the single department with the highest percentage of employees who give.

This year's campaign marks two milestones as the 90th anniversary of the United Way of Northwest Arkansas as well as the 150th year for the U of A. In honor of the university's sesquicentennial, everyone not already donating an annual gift of $150 or more is asked to consider giving $150 this year, which comes out to $12.50 per month.

"I know that the health and wellness of people across Arkansas depends on knowing who to call for help," Primack said. "The United Way's Arkansas 211 Call for Help program connects individuals to community resources to help 24/7. It's an honor to represent the university and support an organization that does so much to help individuals and families right here in our community."

In addition to the challenge award, another incentive this year is the gift for renewals. The first 200 contributors who renew a gift this year receive a United Way of NWA color-changing tumbler. The early renewal campaign runs now through Sept. 29. The tumblers will be distributed from a tent on the Union Mall on Friday, Oct. 1, from 11 a.m.-1 p.m.

Christina Hinds, vice president of corporate engagement with the United Way of Northwest Arkansas, will be on site to thank donors and give out tumblers along with this year's co-chairs, who will rotate on site throughout the distribution time.

"The United Way supports community centers, libraries, boys and girls clubs and school programs," Thorpe said. "These programs build character and community. This is always an important campaign, and as we continue to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic, it's especially important this year."

Payroll deductions, recurring gifts or one-time credit card donations can be made online at unitedway.uark.edu. Payroll deductions are re-authorized each year and deductions begin in January 2022. Faculty and staff may donate to a specific organization through the United Way of Northwest Arkansas. Any donation of $100 or more to a 501(c)(3) organization, as defined by the IRS, and serving Northwest Arkansas, will be passed on directly to that organization.

Donation cards are distributed to campus staff who do not have regular access to the internet and should be returned to a campus coordinator. A full list of campus coordinators can be found at unitedway.uark.edu.

United Way of Northwest Arkansas has served the region since 1931 with the purpose of harnessing the collective power and generosity of the community to empower everyone in the region to thrive in a new era of health and well-being for all.

All donations go to the United Way of Northwest Arkansas with 98 percent going directly to local programs which help children, families and individuals in areas of education, housing, healthy food access, childhood development, and physical and mental well-being. To learn more about the work of United Way of NWA in our community visit unitedwaynwa.org.

About the Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences: Bumpers College provides life-changing opportunities to position and prepare graduates who will be leaders in the businesses associated with foods, family, the environment, agriculture, sustainability and human quality of life; and who will be first-choice candidates of employers looking for leaders, innovators, policy makers and entrepreneurs. The college is named for Dale Bumpers, former Arkansas governor and longtime U.S. senator who made the state prominent in national and international agriculture. For more information about Bumpers College, visit our website, and follow us on Twitter at @BumpersCollege and Instagram at BumpersCollege.

About the University of Arkansas: As Arkansas' flagship institution, the U of A provides an internationally competitive education in more than 200 academic programs. Founded in 1871, the U of A contributes more than $2.2 billion to Arkansas' economy through the teaching of new knowledge and skills, entrepreneurship and job development, discovery through research and creative activity while also providing training for professional disciplines. The Carnegie Foundation classifies the U of A among the top 3% of U.S. colleges and universities with the highest level of research activity. U.S. News & World Report ranks the U of A among the top public universities in the nation. See how the U of A works to build a better world at Arkansas Research News.