United Way of Greater Atlanta announced its 2015-2016 campaign goal of $77.7M, an increase from last year and continuing to build on its prior success. The announcement comes as the organization appoints Mike Petrik, partner in Alston & Bird’s State and Local Tax Group, to a two-year term as the chair of its Board of Directors. The 2015-2016 Campaign Cabinet will be led by David Mangum, President and Chief Operating Officer of Global Payments Inc.

“Under the leadership of former Board Chair Susan Bell of EY and the efforts of Campaign Co-Chairs Renéand Barbarella Diaz of Diaz Foods, the 2014-2015 campaign successfully exceeded its goal and yielded $75.7M,” says United Way of Greater Atlanta’s President and CEO Milton J. Little, Jr. “This year’s goal is a three percent increase over last year.”

“Atlanta’s most pressing social issues, such as child well-being and homelessness, aren’t standalone problems – they are interconnected and require complex solutions,” said Campaign Chair David Mangum. “United Way specializes in bringing donors, volunteers, companies, governments and other agencies together to collectively combat these issues across the metro area. We look forward to strong community support to help us achieve this ambitious goal.”

As campaign chair, Mangum will drive the 2015-2016 campaign in the thirteen counties of Greater Atlanta by leveraging the interest and power of United Way’s giving societies, engagement groups and workplace campaigns. The United Way of Greater Atlanta Tocqueville Society is the largest in the country while engagement groups such as the Johnnetta B. Cole Society, Young Professional Leaders and LINC, an affinity group focused on millennials, continue significant growth with engagement on issues like human trafficking and hunger. 

The 2015-2016 Campaign will place a specific focus on the United Way Impact Fund. Giving to the Impact Fund allows United Way to bring multiple resources to bear, with specific expertise and capabilities, expanding the collective impact in our community and multiplying the effect. This approach creates leverage, ensuring positive outcomes for the community. And contributions to the United Way of Greater Atlanta stay in the local area, providing services to communities in which we live and work.

“We saw great success last year and we want to build on that momentum,” says Little. “We’re elevating United Way’s role in marshalling the people, resources, and non-profits that are needed to drive sustainable community improvements in the well-being of children, families and individuals. That’s why we are placing an emphasis on explaining the importance of United Way’s Impact Fund.”

One way United Way is clarifying its role in the community is by telling our story through a United Way spokeskid. Through the eyes of Priah, a 9-year-old Fayette resident, people learn how United Way connects people to resources, mobilizing efforts to ensure critical needs are met.

To watch Priah’s video or to learn more about United Way’s Impact Fund, visit unitedwayatlanta.org.