The 87th U of A United Way Campaign is officially underway, running from Oct. 1 through Nov. 5, and early renewals have already accounted for more than $30,000 in donations.

The co-chairs have added some incentive to this year's campaign by creating a pair of campus challenges. 

The co-chairs 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.

"For 90 years, the United Way of Northwest Arkansas has been serving our region," Fields said. "Since 1931, the United Way has assisted families, children, teens and others through education, housing, healthy foods, early childhood development and physical and mental well-being. We want to harness that power on campus. Our goal this year is $100,000, and we have a challenge for you."

The group has created the Dean's Challenge Award, which goes to the college with the highest percentage of employees making contributions, along with the Department Challenge Award, which goes to the 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.

"The United Way is a great organization," Primack said. "Ninety-eight cents of every dollar you donate stays right here in Northwest Arkansas."

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 along with progress toward the campaign goal can be found at unitedway.uark.edu.

"The University of Arkansas has an impressive record in teaching, research, athletics and outreach," Thorpe said. "Fayetteville was recently rated the fourth-best place to live in the country, but we know, even here in Northwest Arkansas, people are struggling. Individuals and families are still in need in our community. Please, give to the United Way."

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.