By the end of February in most years, the United Way of the CSRA has announced its annual fundraising campaign with a lot of fanfare in a packed ballroom. This year, those numbers are being delayed due to COVID-19.
“We don’t have the results yet. We’re getting things in later,” said Brittany Burnett, president and CEO of the United Way of the CSRA.
The organization, which set a fundraising goal of $2.17 million in a virtual kickoff in the fall attended by more than 400 people, funds 38 programs with 26 partner agencies.
The United Way’s fundraising model focuses on workplace campaigns. In many cases, people pledge to donate to the United Way through payroll deduction. During a campaign, there are sometimes visits to United Way agencies to see the work done there, or speakers might present about their organization’s work.
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Sometimes businesses do extra fundraisers to augment their campaigns and build camaraderie among their employees.
The United Way campaign usually kicks off in late August with multiple businesses hitting the fundraising trail prior to the official kickoff.
This year, none of that happened.
In a year that saw more employees working from their homes, the United Way’s fundraising model had to be altered.
“People are still wanting to give. Where they give has been different,” she said. “Some still give on paper with their form at work. Others give online. We’ve had to adjust to a new hybrid campaign.”
In addition, it’s taken longer this year to get campaigns done. With many still ongoing, the totals just aren’t in. Burnett expects them soon.
Not only did the United Way spearhead its annual campaign, but it was involved in two other special COVID-19 related projects in 2020.
Early in the pandemic, the United Way became a distribution hub for personal protective equipment.
“We had 250,000 disposable masks,” said Burnett. “The office next to mine was floor to ceiling masks.”
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Large companies made the donations, and the United Way distributed them to other organizations so they could resume their services without tapping into their programming funds to buy the equipment.
The organization also found itself tasked forming a COVID-19 relief program. It joined forces with the Community Foundation for the Central Savannah River Area.
Burnett said people wanted to give to others who lost jobs and wages during the pandemic.
The fund raised and distributed nearly $2 million to the community.
Burnett said that more than 112,000 families applied for and received funding. Of the $1.9 million raised, nearly $1.3 million went toward food, shelter and basic needs. The remaining funds went toward physical and mental health, educational enrichment and childcare.
The two agencies launched the fund last March and the United Way’s 2-1-1 referral line was flooded with calls for assistance.
“We had people calling us who’d never called before,” she said.
Burnett said once all the fundraising totals are in for 2020, an announcement will be made. She expects to set a date in the next few weeks.
To learn more about the United Way of the CSRA, visit uwcsra.org.
Charmain Z. Brackett is the Features Editor for The Augusta Press. Reach her at charmain@theaugustapress.com
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