Dear Colleagues,

The 2011 University of Miami United Way Campaign kicks off this Thursday, September 1. I have the privilege of once again serving as chair of the campaign.

I am pleased to introduce this year’s co-chairs: Michelle Chulick, associate vice president and chief operating officer for the Hospital Division, UHealth, will lead the campaign on the Miller School of Medicine campus, while Allison Gillespie, director of the Office of Commencement and Special Projects and assistant to the vice president for student affairs, will lead the campaign on the Coral Gables and Rosenstiel School campuses.

Last year TeamUM raised more than $1.1 million for the United Way of Miami-Dade, making it the fourth consecutive year that we have surpassed the $1 million mark. These contributions helped fund such vital programs as the American Heart Association, Children’s Home Society of Florida, and Family Counseling Center. I want to thank you again for making this possible—we couldn’t have done it without you.

This year we hope to do even more and have set three goals for our 2011 campaign.

• Dollars to raise: $1.2 million—a 10 percent increase from last year’s total.
• Unrestricted giving: $500,000—last year we raised $482,000. Undesignated contributions help the United Way respond quickly to emergencies and provide support to a variety of agencies with the greatest need.
• Employee participation: 50 percent—last year 3,478 UM employees, or 31 percent, made a pledge to support our community through the United Way of Miami-Dade. Last year 12 University departments had participation rates of 70 percent or higher. We would love to see more TeamUM spirit throughout the Hurricanes family.

It’s easy to give to United Way through TeamUM. Simply log on to MyUM and click on “United Way Contribution” in the lower left side of the home page under “Charitable Contributions,” then follow the instructions to make your donation. Unrestricted contributions to the United Way have the potential to increase their impact through federal, state, and matching grant programs.

United Way will distribute your donation according to your wishes. You can choose to assign your contribution as unrestricted, direct it to a University fund, or designate it to your favorite not-for-profit 501(c)(3) through the United Way.

Please make your gift today as a monthly deduction from your salary or as a one-time gift through payroll deduction, check, or credit card by going to MyUM. If you have any questions concerning online giving, you can contact your department’s ambassador. You can also contact me via email at unitedway@miami.edu or contact your campus co-chair.

As we look at recent natural disasters that have affected millions of people across the nation, local and national United Way agencies were quick to respond to the aftermaths and, perhaps more importantly, remain committed to rebuilding these communities.

I understand that not everyone can make a contribution at this time, but a gift in any amount can have a significant impact when we put our resources together. Please consider giving at least $1 a week. When we pull our resources together, a simple gift of $1 per week can help make a huge difference in people’s lives.

Giving to our 2011 United Way Campaign is both a personal and an institutional way to show our families, friends, and neighbors that the University of Miami cares about our community and its citizens.

Thank you for all you do for the University of Miami and our community.

Rudy Fernandez
Vice President of Government and Community Relations
United Way 2011 Campaign Chair