“It’s been a hard year for fundraising”: United Way of the Black Hills extends its fundraising campaign

RAPID CITY, S.D. – United Way of the Black Hills is still accepting donations for their fundraising campaign, and they’ve extended the deadline to help them reach their goal.

The UWBH fundraising campaign will now end on January 31, 2023, instead of at the end of this month.

Here are a few things to know about the campaign.

What is the campaign?

The fundraising campaign is one of the ways that the United Way collects funds which it uses to provide grants to local non-profit organizations.

The goal that UWBH hopes to reach is over $2.1 million and they currently have over $1.4 million.

“This goal is so important because we have grants that nonprofits apply for to get access to these funds,” Jamie Toennies, executive director of United Way of the Black Hills, said. “Every year, the requests always exceed what we have to give and so, every dollar really does count when we’re looking at our fundraising goals. So we want to make sure that we do everything in our power to raise as much money as we can.”

Where does the money go?

100% of the funds raised by UWBH stays in the Black Hills area to help people in communities.

It goes to things that people might need like mental health counseling, early education, affordable housing, and food security.

United Way of the Black Hills typically doesn’t directly provide these resources to the public but instead provides funding and guidance to established local organizations that are able to use the money most effectively.

Why haven’t they reached their goal?

Inflation and the overall economy has impacted a number of items like gas and groceries, but it has also hurt non-profits and charitable donations.

“It’s been a hard year for fundraising,” Toennies said. “Everybody knows the economy as it is. When milk is expensive for everyone, you got to dig a little deeper to cover your own personal costs, which might mean that there’s a little bit less to give to the community.

What should someone know if they are considering donating?

How to donate

People can make donations from now until January 31, 2023.

There are a few options for donations:

• Mail a check to United Way of the Black Hills, 621 6th St, Ste 100, Rapid City, SD 57701.
• Stop into their office at the same address above
• Call (605) 343-5872
• Text “UWBH” to 40403
• Visit www.unitedwayblackhills.org/donate

People can also make a pledge and pay it off next year in installments that are convenient for each person.