U of A United Way Campaign Set to Begin, Campus Challenges Created

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The 91st U of A United Way Campaign will begin Monday, Oct. 3, and will run through Nov. 4. Renewals are being accepted online now.

Campaign co-chairs this year are Peter MacKeith, dean of the Fay Jones School of Architecture and Design; Deacue Fields, vice president for agriculture for the U of A System; and Rick Thorpe, deputy athletics director of external engagement with Razorback Athletics.

“As a co-chair of the campaign, I know the United Way takes community-building seriously with a focus on improving education, financial stability and health for everyone,” MacKeith said. “United Way of Northwest Arkansas’ investment in our community this year totals more than $4.2 million through community investment grants and direct programs that encourage and strengthen area children and families.”  

The co-chairs have announced a campaign goal of $100,000 along with two campus challenges. For the second year, 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. 

“It is an honor to represent the university and support an organization that does so much to help individuals and families in need right here in our community,” Fields said.

“All U of A campaign donations go to the United Way of Northwest Arkansas,” said Christina Hinds, vice president of business development for the organization. “And 98 percent of those funds directly support local programs that help children, families and individuals in the areas of education, housing, healthy food access, childhood development, and physical and mental well-being.”

“United Way supports community centers, schools, Boys and Girls Clubs, and educational programs. These programs build character and community, and they’re why I am supporting the United Way,” Thorpe said. 

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 2023. 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 strength and generosity of the community to empower everyone in the region to thrive. 

To learn more about the work of United Way of NWA in our community visit unitedwaynwa.org.

About the Fay Jones School of Architecture and Design: The Fay Jones School of Architecture and Design at the University of Arkansas houses undergraduate professional design programs of architecture, landscape architecture and interior architecture and design together with a liberal studies program. The school also offers a Master of Design Studies, with concentrations in health and wellness design, resiliency design, integrated wood design, and retail and hospitality design. The DesignIntelligence 2019 School Rankings Survey listed the school among the most hired from architecture, landscape architecture and interior design schools, ranking 10th, 14th and eighth, respectively, as well as 28th among most admired architecture schools. 

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 few 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.