CORAL GABLES, Fla. (September 15, 2016) —The University of Miami officially kicked off its 2016 campaign for the United Way of Miami-Dade last week, with the goals of again raising more than $1 million, increasing faculty and staff participation and, as the U has done for nearly four decades, doing its part to improve the education, health, and financial stability of children and families in our community.

“As proud members of the UM family, we are kind, compassionate, engaged and inspired, and our TeamUM United Way campaign presents an opportunity to directly impact local quality of life,” said Jacqueline R. Menendez, vice president of University Communications who is chairing the United Way TeamUM 2016 Campaign. “Together, through the United Way, we can change lives by helping people throughout the community we call home.”

Joining Menendez as co-chair of the campaign on the medical campus is Alexandra Jorgensen, associate vice president for human resources at the Miller School of Medicine and UHealth.

Last year, under the leadership of Larry Marbert, vice president of real estate and facilities, TeamUM raised a record $1.2 million from more than 3,700 faculty and staff for the United Way of Miami-Dade.

This year, Menendez has again set UM’s sights on exceeding the $1 million mark and increasing both faculty and staff participation and undesignated contributions. As she noted in a message to employees, 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 $2.30,” Menendez said.

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.

The easiest and most effective way to contribute is to make a pledge online through Workday. Simply log on to Workday and, on the “All About Me” page, click on the “Give” worklet, then select “United Way,” and follow the instructions to make your donation.

United Way will distribute donations according to each employee’s wishes. Faculty and staff have the option of assigning their contributions as unrestricted, directing their gift to a University of Miami fund, or designating their favorite not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization as the recipient.

The University of Miami’s 2016 United Way Campaign runs through December 31, and will update its progress regularly in e-Veritas and on the TeamUM United Way website.

For questions concerning a United Way gift, contact your department’s ambassador. You may also contact Menendez via email at [email protected].