United Way Leaders Speak To Northwest Arkansas Business Leaders; Campaign Starts Aug. 28

BENTONVILLE -- United Way of Northwest Arkansas leaders hope to raise at least $3.75 million this year.

"Our goal is always to raise as much as possible," said Jill Darling, United Way president.

The local group raised $3.75 million last year and $3.9 million in 2012.

United Way will officially kick off its 2015 campaign Aug. 28. The group rallied early support from Northwest Arkansas business leaders at a breakfast Thursday morning.

"It takes a whole community working together," said Danny Funkhouser, chairman of the United Way board.

United Way of Northwest Arkansas supports 56 agencies and 68 programs to "meet the needs of hardworking families," said Cindy Davis, executive vice president of global customer insights and analytics at Walmart.

Davis and Kathy Deck, director of the Center for Business and Economic Research at the University of Arkansas, spoke to about 40 business leaders attending the breakfast. Both women serve on the United Way board of directors.

Deck said more than one in four Northwest Arkansas families live on less than $25,000 a year.

"Nearly half of all Northwest Arkansas school children are eligible for free or reduced lunches," she said.

Kaki Giauque with Ernst & Young is this year's campaign chairwoman and encouraged attendees to become pillar donors by giving at least $1,000.

Last year's campaign had 592 pillar donors who contributed $1.2 million, or 32 percent of the campaign's total, she said.

"We need everyone in this room to be an everyday hero," she said. "We need you to be a visible leader."