BY B.G. GREGG
The Cincinnati Enquirer
The chairman of this year's United Way campaign hopes to raise at least 3 percent to 4 percent more than last year's $52 million.
Daniel J. Meyer, chairman, president and chief executive officer of Cincinnati Milacron, said he would not yet reveal his specific campaign goal.
Last year's campaign brought in 3 percent to 4 percent more than the previous campaign, and he said he would certainly try at least to equal that increase.
He expects to collect more from new businesses and businesses that have not previously run United Way campaigns.
"Our biggest challenge is to broaden the base of support," he said. "We have the best product out there, and we need to spread the United Way story."
More than 1,950 Cincinnati-area businesses run United Way campaigns. For the past three years, an average of 380 new companies have joined the United Way fold, bringing in an average of $475,000 in new money.
The campaign kickoff is scheduled for 11:45 a.m. Wednesday at Fountain Square. The official goal will be announced then. The campaign ends Oct. 29.
The United Way raises money for more than 160 agencies in a seven-county area.
In 1996, after adding the Middletown United Way to its fold, Cincinnati's United Way reached $50 million for the first time in its history. It raised $46 million in 1995 and $44 million in 1994.
Only twice in recent history, in 1990 and 1992, has the United Way failed to raise more than in the previous year.
Cincinnati's per-capita giving ranks fourth in the nation among United Ways that raise more than $25 million, and ninth overall. Rochester, N.Y., is first.
Mr. Meyer said he is not greatly worried about alternative funds, such as Greater Cincinnati Community Shares, which last year raised more than $100,000 while participating in workplace campaign drives.
He acknowledged that some donors would send money to Community Shares instead of United Way, but hoped they would consider donating to both groups.
He said he expects that most donors will choose United Way because of its extensive oversight of agencies that receive money. "They want to make sure their money is being used efficiently," he said.
