UM News

CORAL GABLES, Fla. (September 2, 2014)—The University of Miami officially launches its 2014 United Way campaign today, with the goals of raising more than $1 million for the United Way of Miami-Dade, increasing faculty and staff participation and, as the U has for nearly four decades, doing its part to improve the education, financial stability, and health of children and families.

“Each year’s United Way campaign is an opportunity to demonstrate your support for our UM mission of providing service that extends throughout our community,” said Larry Marbert, vice president for real estate and facilities and chair of the 2014 campaign, which runs through November 28. “Working together, and with your generous support, we will make our 2014 campaign a success.”

For the second consecutive year, Steven F. Falcone, executive dean for clinical affairs, chief executive of UHealth Clinical Practice, and associate vice president for medical affairs, is serving as co-chair, leading the Miller School of Medicine’s component.

“There are two benefactors, the local community and us,” Falcone said at the recent United Way kickoff luncheon on the medical campus. “There is no greater satisfaction than giving to those in need, and I really look forward to this campaign and the work that you will do for the next several months.”

“For the community to achieve its full potential, we have to lift everyone up,” added Joe Natoli, interim chief operating officer of the Miller School and UHealth and senior vice president for business and finance and chief financial officer, who has been devoted to the United Way for many years. “The community relies on us greatly.”

One of only four local institutions to consistently exceed the $1 million mark, UM contributed more than $1.13 million to the United Way of Miami-Dade last year, including more than $419,000 in undesignated giving. This year, Marbert has set UM’s sights on surpassing both figures. As he notes, undesignated contributions enable the United Way to respond more quickly to emergencies, direct funds to community agencies with the greatest need, and, not least of all, more than double the value of its charitable dollars.

“Each unrestricted dollar you contribute to the United Way is matched by federal and state grant programs, turning your dollar into $2.06,” Marbert said.

The easiest and most effective way to contribute is to make a pledge online through myUM. Simply log on to myUM, and under “Give to United Way” in the upper left side of the home page, click on “United Way Contribution” and follow the instructions. Employees have the option of giving through a recurring payroll deduction from their salary, or a one-time gift through payroll deduction, check, or credit card. Those who make commitments of 1 percent or more of their salary will be entered into UM’s traditional October raffle.

Faculty and staff also have the option of assigning their contributions as unrestricted, directing their gift to a University of Miami fund, or designating it to their favorite not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization.

Over the next three months, there will be a number of other campus raffles, events, and fun to generate excitement for and participation in the campaign, which along with the campaign’s progress, will be detailed in e-Veritas every week. Among the first is this week’s UPS 5K Run to benefit the United Way of Miami-Dade on Saturday, September 6. Sponsored in part by the University of Miami, the run begins at 7:30 a.m. at Coral Gables City Hall. Registration is still open and costs $30.

If you have any questions concerning online giving, please contact your department’s ambassador. For a list of United Way Campaign advisors on the Coral Gables and RSMAS campuses, click here. For a list of ambassadors on the Miller School of Medicine campus, click here. You may also contact Marbert via email at [email protected].