ST. LOUIS, MO (June 11, 2009) —  Because of the community’s generous donations to its 2008 fundraising campaign, United Way of Greater St. Louis is investing more than $58.6 million this year to help people in the region. Of that, $51,955,439 will be distributed to its 184 member agencies throughout its 16-county service area that includes Missouri and Illinois. The remaining $6,683,475 will be invested through one-time grants, initiatives and special funding projects such as 2-1-1 to strengthen health and human services in Missouri and Illinois counties.

“We had an incredible fundraising campaign,” said Doug Yaeger, 2009 United Way board chair and chairman, president and CEO of The Laclede Group, Inc. “The support United Way receives from companies and people in this region is truly exceptional. This support allows United Way to ensure our nearly 200 partner agencies can continue to deliver quality programs and services to more than 1 million people each year. Thank you.”

Each United Way funded agency is reviewed yearly by a panel of volunteers in the four areas of finance, program, governance and administration. These nearly 400 volunteers then determine how the funding from United Way is distributed.

“We are grateful that we can take the generous support we receive and use it build a healthy community that benefits us all,” said Dorothy McMurtry, assistant United States attorney, United States Attorney's Office/U.S. Department of Justice and United Way community investment committee chair. “Every dollar given does make a difference and with your donations, United Way continues to provide invaluable help to people in need through the quality services provided by the partner agencies. We are committed to being efficient and effective with the dollars you entrust to us; and, in fact, more than 90 cents of every dollar goes back into the community to help people. That outstanding percentage could not be accomplished without the hundreds of volunteers who dedicate their time to United Way and the community.”