On the heels of a successful $50,000 challenge grant campaign, Scheels has stepped up its support of United Way of the Greater Chippewa Valley with a second challenge, this one for $25,000.
For the first campaign, the store’s foundation matched any new or increased donation to United Way, dollar for dollar, from August through November. The challenge helped increase the number of donors and donation amounts to United Way during the fall workplace pledge drive and raised more than twice the amount needed to match the $50,000 challenge.
The new challenge is aimed at helping United Way reach a $2 million fundraising goal. Any new or increased donation from community members, compared to 2016, will be matched dollar-for-dollar by Scheels until the end of January, 2018, up to a total of $25,000.
United Way is currently 65% of the way to its $2 million goal, according to a press release from the organization.
“We see so much generosity during the holiday season, and this year, we’re thrilled that Scheels is providing an extra opportunity for donors to double the impact of their giving to United Way,” said Jan Porath, the organization’s executive director.
“More than 26,000 people in our community received help last year because of United Way investments in education, financial stability, health and basic needs services,” Porath said. “We’re not government-funded, we raise all of our funds from local residents and businesses and we invest those donations into local services that help our friends and neighbors here in the Chippewa Valley. It’s amazing to have such generous support from our local Scheels store.”
Currently, 27 Chippewa Valley nonprofits receive United Way funding. If current donation levels can be sustained, United Way plans to make over $1 million in grants to local nonprofits each year through 2021.
In addition, it will fund other services and projects like Day of Caring, which last year recruited and coordinated 900 volunteers to complete projects for area nonprofits, according to the press release.
Community members interested in supporting the local United Way can donate online at www.uwgcv.org, by calling the local United Way office at 715-834-5043 or requesting a donation form by calling or emailing info@uwgcv.org.