View full sizeUnited Way campaign co-chairs Jerry Kelsheimer, left, and Zev Weiss confer during the annual United Way Campaign Kickoff and Pancake Flip in September.CLEVELAND, Ohio -- United Way of Greater Cleveland has surpassed its fund-raising goal for the third straight year, reaping $40,134,525 for health and human services programs.
The formal announcement comes today at the organization's annual meeting and luncheon.
Jerry Kelsheimer, one of the campaign's co-chairs this year, credited broad participation for exceeding this year's goal of $40,125,000.
When asked, "people in the this community really do step up," said Kelsheimer, president of Fifth Third Bank.
Zev Weiss, another co-chair and chief executive officer of American Greetings, said the robust response reflects a growing belief that the economy may be rebounding.
United Way scaled back its expectations over the past decade, in the face of a declining economy that finally hit bottom in 2008.
Between 2001 and 2004, the campaign set goals between $46 million and $50 million, but fell short each year. The campaign also missed its $42.5 million goal in 2008.
K. Michael Benz, president and chief executive officer of United Way, said not everyone has climbed out of the recession, and this year's good results "were not a slam dunk."
But Benz said some donors responded two and three times as the campaign strove to reach the goal.
Kelsheimer said he sees United Way's donor base broadening.
"The face of Northeast Ohio has changed in the last 18 years," he said. "We are very fortunate to have a strong corporate donor base," but noted that the entrepreneurial sector has evolved as a bigger force in the local economy and the annual fund drive.
KeyCorp topped the list by giving $2,743,000. Eaton Corp donated $2,042,000 and the Cleveland Clinic stepped up with $1,851,000.
Altogether, this year's success flowed from about 84,000 individuals and 1,700 organizations, according to the local United Way's annual report.
Weiss and Kelsheimer said United Way keeps administrative costs around 12 percent or less.
Weiss described United Way as "a lean organization," run by a small body of dedicated professionals.
"The majority of the money raised stays here in Greater Cleveland for programs to help people," said Benz. "Around 88 cents out of every dollar goes where it's supposed to."
The 108-member professional, full-time staff is augmented by thousands of volunteers, including executives loaned to the campaign by area companies at no cost to the campaign.
For all of the excitement about goals attained or bested, this year marks an impending loss for United Way: Benz, who has been at the helm for nearly 18 years plans to retire this year.
"Mike has been an extraordinary leader and we are grateful for his service to our community. Our community is better because he lives and works here," said Kelsheimer.
An earlier version of this story understated the amount of the Cleveland Clinic's contribution. It is $1,851,000, and the correct figure now appears in this story.
To reach this Plain Dealer reporter: jewinger@plaind.com, 216-999-3905