United Way bests prior year fundraising

United Way of the Ozarks yesterday revealed its 2016 fundraising total during its annual meeting at the John A. and Genny Morris Conservation Center.

With nearly 400 in attendance, United Way officials announced $3.1 million was raised, up from $2.9 million in 2015, according to a news release.

Of the total, 86 percent came from donations and gifts, 7 percent came from grants and 7 percent was from other revenue. Expenses of $3.06 million comprised 80 percent programs, 11 percent in management and general spending, and 9 percent from fundraising efforts, according to the nonprofit’s annual report.

“We have seen that thousands of individual efforts don’t necessarily add up to community progress,” United Way President and CEO Debi Meeds said in the release. “The key to community change is how we work together – the systems we put into place.”

Fundraising highlights for the year also included a Day of Caring event with over 2,000 volunteers who completed 279 projects, and helping some 307,000 people.

United Way of the Ozarks funds 45 programs and 15 community initiatives addressing health and human service needs in 14 counties, according to the release.