Local businesses give the most to United Way

Local business are the backbone of the local United Way fund-raising effort.

Of the more than $1.1 million raised so far this year, $845,201 comes from local business and agencies, as opposed to professional groups and the general public, said United Way director Nancy Jernigan.

"There is no comparison," she said. "The majority of that $845,000 is individual giving from employees versus corporate gifts."

Contributions from businesses includes giving from individual employees through payroll deduction, and from the corporation itself.

Not-for-profit corporations that may not have the capital resources to be generous will support the United Way by encouraging their employees to raise money to donate. Jernigan says that kind of support is as valuable as a cash donation.

"The executive has to be open and supportive of our work to allow us to do employee campaigns, even if we don't get a corporate gift," she said. "It's a form of support."

Corporations support the United Way by participating in the annual golf tournament, or by encouraging their employees to participate in fund-raising competitions. Other businesses underwrite the expenses of the United Way fund-raising campaign, allowing the money collected through donations to go to the agencies the United Way supports rather than pay for overhead costs.

The United Way and local businesses work together in other ways. Jernigan said that local business leaders meet with the United Way board to help set the annual fund-raising goal.

"Our board is comprised of about 25 percent of business leaders," Jernigan said. "Many of them give us their time by serving on our board, which involves committee work and other commitments. They really make it happen for us."

Corporate support also includes the payroll deduction plan, Jernigan said. The cooperation between businesses and the United Way in making payroll deductions allows employees, who may not be able to afford to be as generous as they would like to with one donation, to make that donation over the year from each paycheck.

"Companies can't let just everybody come in and do that," Jernigan said. "We're fortunate we have been able to maintain that level of support and commitment, not just locally but on a national level."

Large companies might make a corporate donation from their headquarters, but the local offices may not be allowed to make a company donation at the local level. But they can encourage their employees to donate through payroll deduction. If a national company were to withdraw its support for whatever reason, Jernigan said, the local office can still support United Way through the payroll deduction program.

"We're grateful for the support we get from our businesses," Jernigan said.

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Top 20 United Way Business Contributors and their 20025 Contributions

Procter & Gamble, $228,013

Saint Francis Medical Center, $151,784

Southeast Missouri Hospital, $80,997

Southeast Missouri State University $52,001

Nordenia, $48,611

Southeast Missourian, $37,500

Schnucks, $22,794

City of Cape Girardeau $21,648

Jackson Public Schools, $21,556

AmerenUE, $21,467

Cape Public Schools, $21,453

Nestle Purina, $20,688

KFVS12 TV, $19,788

AT&T(SBC), $17,070

Biokyowa, $16,649

DANA Corporation, $14,886

Regions Bank, $12,813

Famous Barr, $12,446

JC Penney, $11,789

United Parcel Service, $11,068

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United Way fundraising levels, 2000-2005

2000:

Goal: $925,000

Outcome: $901,154

2001:

Goal: $875,000

Outcome: $891,964

2002:

Goal: $895,000

Outcome: $927,766

2003:

Goal: $935,000

Outcome: $1,017,041

2004:

Goal: $1,000,000

Outcome: $1,040,200

2005:

Goal: $1,050,000

Outcome: $$1,109,730*

*As of Feb. 2. Money is still coming in.