April is campaign month
UWM gives to UWM
Every year, faculty and staff provide generous financial support during the UWM Gives to UWM campaign. With the university now embarking on its first comprehensive campaign (see the February issue of UWM Report), your support for UWM is more significant than ever.
When you support the UWM Gives to UWM campaign by making a contribution, you are also supporting UWM’s comprehensive campaign. That’s because all faculty and staff gifts count toward the $100 million campaign goal.
Your participation also demonstrates to other funding sources such as alumni, foundations and corporations, and friends that the faculty and staff who work, teach, and conduct research here are fully committed to the university’s success. In other words, your UWM Gives to UWM support helps us to secure additional funding.
BELOW: UWM Gives to UWM campaign
co-chairs (from left) Ewa Barczyk, Randall Lambrecht, Mariam Zahedi, and
Sandy Botham.
Peter Jakubowski
Faculty and staff play an essential role in the university’s success. So, too, are many of us shaping the institution’s future through gifts and pledges. Last year, for example, more than one of every four of us either made a gift or established a pledge, and that helped UWM raise an unprecedented $423,200. (See "Why We Give.")
This year, our goal is to increase our total number of donors and to raise a record $450,000 by April 30. By supporting the area(s) of the university that mean the most to you, faculty and staff make a real impact on the programs, research, and scholarship here at UWM.
UWM Gives to UWM and the comprehensive campaign matter to all of us. These fund-raising efforts will transform our university, leading to enhancements in education, research, and outreach. Please join UWM Gives to UWM co-chairs Randall Lambrecht (dean, College of Health Sciences), Ewa Barczyk (interim director, UWM Libraries), Mariam Zahedi (Wisconsin Distinguished Professor, School of Business Administration), and Sandy Botham (head coach, women’s basketball) in support of the university. It is the sum of our efforts and your commitment that will make a difference for our students, our faculty and staff, and our community.
Frequently asked questions about UWM Gives to UWM
Members of the UWM family are encouraged to make gifts to the 2006 UWM Gives to UWM Campaign that support their personal values and priorities. When deciding where to direct your gift, consider the many opportunities for giving at UWM.Below are answers to frequently asked questions that may assist you when considering a gift. If you would like additional information, please contact Tom Bjornstad, director of annual giving, at bjornsta@uwm.edu or 414-229-3298.
Q: What is the UWM Gives to UWM campaign?
A: The UWM Gives to UWM campaign is a unique fund-raising program that seeks to raise operational support for the university. The campaign is an opportunity for all current and retired UWM faculty and staff to make an annual gift to their favorite initiatives or department.
Q: I already work here – why should I give?
A: Even if you don’t make a financial contribution to UWM, we appreciate the important contribution you make as an employee.
Employees also know that the needs of the university are not always met, and that funding from a variety of sources is declining. Consequently, the private support UWM receives from alumni, friends, faculty, and staff is more important than ever.
Equally important, when UWM seeks support from funding organizations like foundations and corporations, they often inquire about and make funding decisions based on the level of internal financial support.
Q: When will I receive the letter asking for my gift?
A: Letters will be sent by campus mail in early April. Please return your gift by the end of the month. However, gifts are gladly accepted at any time during the year.
Q: Can I specify where my contribution should go?
A: Yes. This choice is completely yours. The pledge card you receive will suggest designations, but you have the option of designating your gift to a specific college, department, or program. If you have a question about a specific fund, please call 414-229-3298 or e-mail bjornsta@uwm.edu.
Q: How much should I give?
A: All gifts count toward our goal, and every gift makes an important impact. The specific amount you give depends on your own financial situation. Many people who donate feel strongly about what they support and give accordingly. Leadership gifts (an annual contribution of $250 or more) are recognized by inclusion in the Collegium Society.
Q: Can I make an anonymous gift?
A: Yes. Just tell us on the pledge card that you wish to remain anonymous. You will receive a tax receipt, but your name will not appear on any list of gifts received by your department or on any honor roll lists.
Q: Can I make a gift jointly with my spouse?
A: Yes. The pledge card provides the opportunity to make a joint gift with your spouse. In fact, spouses are often included as joint contributors.
Here’s an added benefit. Your spouse may work for a matching-gift company, and contributions to UWM are eligible to be matched by corporations. A matching gift may double or even triple the amount of money you contribute, and you receive the credit.
Q: What are my payment options?
A: There are several ways to make a contribution: When you receive your pledge card, or if you know how you would like to support the university:
- Complete and mail the payroll deduction form included with your pledge card to have a portion of your gift automatically deducted from each paycheck.
- Send a personal check made payable to the UWM Foundation to the UWM Office of Development, Hefter Center, 3271 N. Lake Dr., Milwaukee, WI 53211.
- Charge your gift to your credit card (Visa or MasterCard). This option is available on the pledge card or at www.development.uwm.edu.
- To make a gift of appreciated securities, such as stock, call Eric Anderson (414-229-3016) or Stephanie Ackerman (414-229-3018).
Q: What if I didn’t receive a pledge card, or I lost it?
A: We will be happy to provide another card for you. Just contact Tom Bjornstad at 414-229-3298 or bjornsta@uwm.edu.
Q: How can my area of work benefit from the faculty/staff campaign?
A: As an employee of the university, you have a personal and professional investment in the success of the institution and in your own area of interest. You may choose to make a contribution to the school or program in which you work – or, instead, choose another designation that interests you. Most schools and programs receive some support through the faculty/staff campaign.
URL: http://www.uwm.edu/News/Features/06.03/UWM_Gives06.html
Copyright 2006
by the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, all rights reserved.
If you have questions or comments about this page, please send e-mail
to: gwc@uwm.edu
