The Community Fund Drive (CFD) kicked-off last Wednesday and runs through October. This great event provides us all with a chance to support organizations who make life better here in Minnesota.

Why give to the Community Fund Drive?

* It’s efficient – Giving through the CFD save charities
administrative costs, (e.g. mailings, phone banks, etc) your money goes further
* It’s safe – Donating on-line means no one else sees your information
* It’s easy – A couple clicks of the mouse and you’re done
* It’s flexible – The CFD allows you to target the groups you want
to support
* It’s rewarding – Besides the satisfaction of supporting important
charities, you could win a prize

How do I give to the Community Fund Drive?
There are a couple ways for you to give. Go to the CFD website (www.umn.edu/cfd) and fill out an online payroll deduction pledge form or if you feel more comfortable the same webpage has a form to print out and mail in. Each Zone office will also have copies of a pledge form.

How much should I give?
That’s a personal choice – any gift is valued. Remember even if you share $1 per paycheck that adds up to $26 during the course of the year. Every dollar counts.

Where does my money go?
You can direct donations to any charitable organization with a 501 c 3 designation. The CFD supports 7 umbrella federations that represent over 400 organizations. Here’s a snapshot of each federation:

* Community Health Charities Minnesota – An alliance of leading nonprofit health research and service organizations whose mission is to improve lives affected by chronic illness.

* United Negro College Fund – The nations largest, oldest, most successful, and most comprehensive minority higher education assistance organization.

* Community Shares of Minnesota – This federation supports organizations committed to ending poverty, reducing violence, building affordable housing, providing affordable healthcare, fighting discrimination, winning peace and meeting other urgent needs.

* Minnesota Environmental Fund – This federation targets funds to protect, conserve and restore Minnesota’s environment.

* Greater Twin Cites United Way – The United Way builds partnerships to innovatively solve our community’s most critical issues and ensures strong results by upholding the highest standards.

* Open Your Heart to the Hungry and Homeless – This federation helps Minnesotans meet basic needs for food and shelter by funding food shelves, food banks, on-site feeding programs, shelters and transitional housing programs.

* United Arts - Reaches over 300,000 Minnesotans each year through grants that ensure quality arts education in schools and sustain important community-building arts programs.


For more information on the federations, please see the CFD web site http://www1.umn.edu/cfd/charitable/index.html .

During last year’s fund drive, 8% of FM generously gave $14,000. We’d like to top that this year by having 25% staff participation. I hope you will help us meet our goal. The unit that generates the highest staff participation will get a free meal provided to celebrate.

If you have any further questions concerning the CFD, please contact Tammy Nelson at nels6677@umn.edu or 6-3190.

Mike