United Way kicks off 2016 fund drive by touting ‘Cycle of Success’

The United Way of Greater Kansas City launched its 2016 campaign Thursday with a commitment to a new focus that leaders say will enhance the impact of the charitable dollars given across the community.

“The Cycle of Success” will focus on healthy beginnings for children 5 and younger; life and career preparedness for those up to age 24; and helping adults and families be financially secure and independent.

“We’re extremely confident that work is going to deliver for us for many years to come,” said Steve Edwards, chairman and chief executive officer of the Black & Veatch engineering firm and co-chairman of this year’s United Way campaign.

“It’s the platform for the future,” Edwards continued at a kickoff lunch at the InterContinental Hotel. “We believe it’s going to make a huge difference in the community that we love.”

The new strategy and emphasis may mean some changes for service organizations vying for United Way support. The application process for the next three-year round of grants begins soon, and award decisions will be announced in May.

As in previous years, the campaign did not set a specific monetary goal, but officials would like to surpass the $35.2 million pledged last year. That was more than was pledged in 2014 but less than the three previous years.

Brent Stewart, president and chief executive officer of the local United Way, told The Star earlier this week that the number of individual donors is still down in the wake of the recession but that he is pleased total contributions have stabilized.

The United Way of Greater Kansas City currently funds 308 programs at 158 nonprofit agencies. Administrative costs were 12 percent in the most recent fiscal year. For more information go to www.unitedwaygkc.org.

The theme for the 2016 campaign is “U ME 1KC.”

The guest speaker at Thursday’s lunch was Robert Townsend, who told an inspiring story about his rise from a gang-plagued neighborhood in west Chicago to become a filmmaker, actor, comedian and producer.

This story was originally published September 8, 2016 at 3:58 PM with the headline "United Way kicks off 2016 fund drive by touting ‘Cycle of Success’."