United Way recognizes pace-setting companies

INDIANAPOLIS, IN. (October 16, 2007) –United Way of Central Indiana announced today it is recognizing seven local companies that completed early workplace fund raising campaigns for outstanding results in pre-determined categories.

Overall, 129 companies in the six-county Central Indiana region ran Pacesetter or early campaigns this year raising $5.4 million.

Pacesetters began collecting donations prior to the Aug. 24 community-wide kickoff.

This year, UWCI aims to raise $39 million, or $2 million more than in 2006. So far, pledges amounting to $22.9 million or 59 percent of goal have been raised.

According to a news release, United Way Pacesetters being recognized include:

Lincoln Bank for most creative CEO involvement. Taking off on the City Slicker movie theme, bank campaign organizers encouraged employees to vote with money for their favorite “cowboy” legs from a selected group of coworkers. Proceeds were added to the United Way campaign. CEO Jerry Engle was one of the cowboy contestants. Engle also was visible and involved throughout the bank’s campaign where he recognized top-performing departments or branches and committed to a corporate contribution.

CB Richard Ellis Inc. for the largest increase in employee contributions. The company provides diverse commercial real estate services. This year the 75 local employees doubled participation in the United Way campaign and increased total giving by 172 percent.

BSA LifeStructures for the largest increase, employee participation.The architectural, engineering, planning and interior design firm attracted 55 new pledges from its employees raising participation to 49 percent and increasing leadership giving (contributions of $1,500 or more) by 31 percent

RJE business interiors for the largest increase in leadership giving.This firm offers a variety of fine office furniture by major name-brand manufacturers and provides complete design and restoration services. Six new contributions at the leadership giving level of $1,500 or more were pledged this year, earning RJE the best such record among Pacesetter campaigns.

HNTB Corp. for the largest overall community impact giving/greatest increase in unrestricted contributions. Unrestricted contributions increased 70 percent at this engineering, architecture and planning firm.

Duke Energy for the largest increase in corporate giving. Now offering a 50 percent match to employee giving, this Hendricks County distributor of electric power and gas increased its corporate gift 47 percent or more than $21,000.

Fusion Alliance for the largest first-time workplace campaign. Indianapolis’ largest web developer, Fusion raised more than $35,000 from employee and corporate giving to involve 47 percent of its staff.