United Way of North Central Florida is the United Way of the Future
Small Business is the Next Big Thing
GAINESVILLE, Fla., Feb. 1, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- United Way of North Central Florida Director of Development Chris Wells to present for the second time at the annual United Way Worldwide Fundraising for Impact Summit February 6-9 in Phoenix, Arizona.
Wells' presentation will focus on UWNCFL's Small Business Partnership, a unique program that partners small business owners with United Way to focus their charitable giving in their local communities. Over the past two years, this initiative has grown the agency's Community Investment Fund by 15%, which is five times its annual expected growth and the single largest increase in the organization's 60 year history.
"There are 28 million small businesses in the United States and roughly 90% of them have 20 or fewer employees," said Wells. "This is our biggest opportunity to reach new donors who were not previously engaged, allowing them to focus their giving in a way that is local, manageable and impactful."
This program – the first of its kind in the US – creates new revenue independent from the typical United Way workplace payroll deduction campaigns, which have been on the decline for more than 30 years, largely due to the changes in how Americans work and changing global economic conditions.
"Since its inception, we have grown to 150 Small Business Partners," said UWNCFL President & CEO Deborah Bowie, "which is only the beginning. We are excited to be included in the United Way Worldwide conference once again, and to share our program with United Ways all over the globe. It is our belief that this strategy represents one of the most significant opportunities for revenue growth across the 1,300-member United Way network."
In September 2016, UWNCFL hosted an expanded day-long conference focused on establishing the Small Business Partnership Program in United Ways across the country. A number of Florida United Way professionals attended the September session, as well as development teams from Texas and Utah. A second conference is scheduled in Gainesville on April 28. More information can be found at www.MissionMainStreet2017.EventBrite.com.
SOURCE United Way of North Central Florida
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