Howard, Tipton County United Way kicks off fundraising campaign, sets $1.3M goal

United Way of Howard County and Tipton Counties kicked off its 2024-25 fundraising campaign Thursday night.

The nonprofit announced its fundraising campaign goal of $1.3 million at Bel Air Events, 3014 S. Webster St., in front of staff, board members and leaders of the community. This year's campaign is named "Leading the Way."

United Way's campaign goal is an increase from last year's campaign goal of $1 million, which the organization blew past, raising a total of $1.2 million.

Dana Neer, president and CEO of United Way, said the nonprofit's fundraising goal last year was "conservative," as the organization was going through a transitional period of new leadership, new board members and regaining of community trust. So it didn't know how much it could realistically raise.

When the campaign raised more than its goal, it not only pleasantly surprised the employees but gave them confidence that this year's campaign could raise more.

"The community and partnerships came through," Neer said about last year's campaign. "We believe $1.3 (million) is the number. ... We want to give away as much as we can. We hope to raise more, and the more we raise, the more we'll give."

This year's campaign chairman is a familiar face — Jeff Young.

Young has previously served on the United Way Board of Trustees, was the campaign chair in 2016 and for a few months in 2019, served as interim CEO. A Kokomo native, Young worked at Haynes International Inc. for 39 years before retiring in 2019.

"Our job here is to connect with people, educate them on what we do and thank them for their time," Young said. "If we do that, the money will come."

Money raised in each year's campaign pays for United Way's several internal programs, including Buddy Bags, tax preparation assistance and more and allows the organization to hand out community grants to other local groups.

United Way also announced Thursday it would be giving 11 local nonprofits collectively $199,3445 in grant money. Some of the grant recipients include Bridges Outreach, Bona Vista, Sharpsville United Methodist Church and Turning Point – System of Care.