The 91st U of A United Way Campaign is officially under way, running from Oct. 3 through Nov. 4, and early renewals have already accounted for more than $18,764 in donations.

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.

"The University of Arkansas has an impressive record in academics, research and sports, and Fayetteville is one of the best places to live in the country," Thorpe said. "But we know that, even here in Northwest Arkansas, people are struggling."

Through the United Way, 98 cents of every dollar donated stays in Northwest Arkansas to support programs that help local children, families and individuals in the areas of education, housing, healthy food access, childhood development, and physical and mental well-being.

"We want to harness that power right here on campus," MacKeith said. "Our goal this year is $100,000, and we have a challenge for you."

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.

"The University of Arkansas is big on traditions, and in that spirit of tradition, the university and the United Way have partnered together for 91 years to support our community," Fields said. "Our students, faculty and staff benefit from the United Way programs."

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 along with progress toward the campaign goal 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 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.