August 2005

I hope you have begun to hear and see our message of urgency – everyone matters. A commitment to all people is key to being a world-class community. And, this belief underpins why we need a unified campaign to help our neighbors in need.

Since I last communicated with you, my sense of urgency has only heightened. The regional economy has not yet picked up to the extent that we all hoped. As a result, the needs in our community continue to grow and the gap between available and necessary resources widens. So on behalf of the Board of Directors and the Campaign Cabinet, I am seeking your help to make 2005 a turnaround year for our community with a successful United Way campaign.

You have our assurance that we are doing everything we can to maximize dollars to services during these challenging economic times. As I reported to you in May, United Way of the Greater Dayton Area has:

•  Reduced our 2005-2006 operating budget by 14%.

•  Realigned staff to provide additional human resources for the campaign.

•  Implemented strategies to raise more money and reach new donors and market segments.

The annual United Way campaign is upon us; here are a number of ways you can help.

Come to the Fraze

On Thursday evening, September 1 st , at 8:00 p.m., please join us at United Live – commUnity matters , the first-ever United Way benefit concert at the Fraze Pavilion in Kettering . The event will feature the popular Beatles tribute band, Ticket to Ride, Buffet hits and oldies by Key West , and rock favorites by Reynolds Pit Cru. Tickets are just $5 and can be purchased at Ticketmaster.com. Bring your family and friends – perhaps introducing someone new to the good work accomplished through the United Way . We'll have fun, hear some good music, and support a great cause.

Dig a Little Deeper

As a United Way stakeholder, you have already demonstrated that you understand the value of the United Way . Thank you for your ongoing generosity and support. When you make your gift this year, please consider an increase.

As we analyzed the recent past campaigns, we learned some interesting facts about our regional giving trends. United Way of the Greater Dayton Area is asking the same percentage of the local population to give as other local United Ways across the country. And, the same percent of the population on average makes a contribution. Our average gift, however, lags behind our neighbors. We learned that if Dayton achieved the average per capita of Akron , we would raise $15.7 million. If we achieved the per capita of Grand Rapids , we'd raise $17.4 million.

Be a Champion

Of course, the lasting solution to closing the gap in meeting our community's needs lies in truly realizing the “united” in the United Way campaign. We must involve more of our community in giving through the United Way . Only then can we achieve our mission to improve lives by mobilizing the caring power of our community on behalf of our local health and human service network.

Please “talk up” the United Way among your friends, colleagues, and neighbors. Help them see that when they give to the United Way, they make the choice that everyone matters…because only the United Way supports the network of health and human services that nurtures children, strengthens families, assists the elderly and persons with disabilities, and sustains the nonprofit infrastructure that improves lives and our community.

Marc R. Levy

President