With its main fundraising season approaching, United Way of Central Illinois announced it would like to raise $3 million during its 2010 campaign, slightly less than its 2009 goal of $3.1 million but about $150,000 more than it actually raised last year.
"Three million dollars is a good round number," said United Way of Central Illinois president John Kelker. "It's a combination of an assertive goal and what companies feel are obtainable."
Kelker said reaching $3 million would require companies to donate an average of 4 percent to 5 percent more than they did last year.
"The needs are greater than ever," he said. "While we can never fill the gap left by the state budget cuts, we can do the best we can to meet the needs of the community."
The campaign, kicked off today during a luncheon at the Crowne Plaza, leads into the fall, when most companies run their donation drives, Kelker said. Although some organizations don't report their results until January, Kelker said the 2010 campaign typically wraps up by Thanksgiving.
Early giving already has raised $661,030, or about 22 percent of the $3 million goal, Kelker said.
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