Donors boost United Way
Russell Investment CEO pledges $250,000 on the way to a $3 million goal

PAUL SAND; The News Tribune
Published: March 1st, 2006

An extra $3 million could be pumped into a volunteer-controlled United Way of Pierce County fund that pays for food banks, shelters and health care access programs thanks to a new matching donation plan, the organization’s fundraising chairman announced Tuesday.

Craig Ueland, who is also chief executive officer of the Russell Investment Group, said he hopes to raise about $1.5 million in pledges that could be matched by people and businesses in Pierce County. So far, Ueland has pledged to give up to $250,000 of his own money, as has his company, he said. George Russell, the company’s chairman emeritus, has said he’ll authorize up to $250,000 that he has donated to an endowment to give to the matching fund drive, Ueland said.

The cash infusion will be made to the organization’s community solutions fund, a program where United Way volunteers choose which projects receive money, said Rick Allen, president of the United Way of Pierce County. In 2005, the fund contributed about $4 million to the organization’s total haul of $12.2 million, he said.

“It really ups the ante in the community about community-service giving,” Allen said. “We’re going to take it to our volunteers and let them decide where it needs to go in the community.”

He said money from the fund goes to 116 programs, including “safety net” services such as food banks, and programs centered around the organization’s three long-term goals: housing availability, child and youth development and health care access.

Ueland announced the matching donation plan Tuesday night at the United Way’s annual meeting at the Tacoma Convention & Trade Center. Officials also announced they raised $12.2 million in 2005, an increase over the roughly $10 million raised in 2004.

About three-quarters of last year’s cash, or $9.4 million, came from the group’s community fundraising campaign, as well as the United Way’s federal and state fundraising.

The balance, $2.8 million, is comprised of other sources, including about $260,000 worth of volunteer time, $26,000 through the Season of Caring holiday giving program and almost $28,000 from the Back to School initiative, which provides school supplies and clothing for poor children.

During the event, officials awarded the United Way’s highest honor, the Spirit of Pierce County Award, to Tacoma-based wood products company Simpson.

Simpson workers volunteered several days to renovate homes for Network Tacoma last year. They also built a playground at Helping Hand House in Puyallup, and helped with projects at L’Arche Tahoma Hope.

MORE ON THE 2006 COMMUNITY CHALLENGE MATCH

Hear more about the Community Challenge Match from 2006 Campaign Chair and Russell Investment Group CEO Craig Ueland

Gates foundation adds heft to community campaign
(The News Tribune, April 21st, 2006)

INSIDE THE DEAL - Meeting a Challenge
( Puget Sound Business Journal, Published: April 14, 2006)

Gates pledge $1 million to United Way
(The News Tribune, April 11, 2006)

Bill & Melinda gates Foundation Adds $1 Million to United Way's Community Challenge Match - April 10, 2006

Frequently Asked Questions - Community Challenge Match