United Way of the Capital Area provides educational and asset building opportunities that create pathways out of poverty for families in Hinds, Madison and Rankin counties.
Our strategy is to invest, advocate, and leverage resources in order to solve problems at their root causes. Our goals for providing opportunities for successful lives for families in the tri-county area are focused in our community impact strategies:
To provide oppurtunities that empower people to build successful lives.
United Way of the Capital Area, Inc. was established as a Community Chest in 1939 by civic-minded leaders in Jackson, Mississippi. Through the past 66 years, United Way has made changes to accommodate the shifting needs of our community.
1939 - Community Chest of Jackson, Mississippi was established in the Cannon Building at 725 S. State Street.
1943 - Payroll deductions are established. Before payroll deduction, most of the money raised in campaigns came from the wealthy, and solicitations were limited to a small pool of large givers.
1945 - The Community Chest is formally adopted and the red feather becomes the campaign symbol. The campaign slogan is Everybody gives - Everybody Benefits.
1953 - Community Chest of Jackson, Mississippi becomes United Givers Fund and is incorporated as a 501 (c) (3) organization. Bill Owens becomes Executive Director.
1965 - 38 Community Chests and Funds in Los Angeles County merge and become the first United Way.
Q. What is the United Way of the Capital Area?
A. United Way of the Capital Area is a local nonproï¬t organization that brings our community together and focuses resources on the most critical hu-man care needs in Hinds, Madison, and Rankin counties. By partnering with businesses, individuals, government and other nonproï¬ts we’re able to monitor the needs of our community and respond as issues or opportunities arise. As a convener, collaborator, funder and leader in addressing health and human service issues, United Way of the Capital Area fulï¬lls a unique role in making our community a better place. And thanks to the generous support of volunteers, contributors, and concerned citizens throughout our area, we’re helping to improve lives every day.
Q. Why should I give to United Way?
A. When you give to United Way, you help provide solutions to the most critical human care issues in our community. You become part of a coordi-nated, community-ide effort that brings about the changes that matter most where you live and work. United Way of the Capital Area maximizes your gift by combining your contribution with others and strategically investing in results-driven programs and initiatives. Giving hope to kids, families, seniors, people with disabilities and individuals ï¬ghting disease, you help our entire community. Plus, with the ease of payroll deduction, you can help others and improve the quality of life in our community without the ï¬nancial challenge of a one-time donation.
Q. What does United Way do in addition to raising money?
A. Fundraising is just one part of the immense value United Way brings to our community. By partnering with businesses, government, non-proï¬t organizations, and individuals, we help improve lives and create sustained change in our community. United Way of the Capital Area also monitors our area’s changing needs and focuses resources to provide quality solutions.
Q. Is United Way a national or local organization?
A. United Way of the Capital Area is a local, autonomous nonproï¬t organization. Like the more than 1,400 United Ways across the country, we are governed by a local volunteer board of directors. United Way of the Capital Area pays nominal dues to United Way of America in exchange for im-portant cost-saving services such as staff training, community research information, campaign products, NFL advertising and ongoing consultation.
Q. Why does United Way have administrative costs?
A. In the business of community impact, United Way of the Capital Area incurs costs for fundraising, marketing, year-round support of our fundrais¬ing and agency partners, community investment and common business operations such as accounting, human resources and overall organizational management. As careful stewards of our donors’ investments in our community, we operate our organization with the utmost efï¬ciency and effective-ness. Around ninety-one cents of every dollar is invested in local programs and initiatives that improve lives and deliver results, making us one of the most efï¬ cient nonproï¬ts in the nation.
Q. How is United Way of the Capital Area held accountable?
A. The most valuable asset we have is the trust and conï¬dence of our donors and the community. United Way of the Capital Area has a volunteer committee which oversees our organization. We maintain high standards and are scrutinized each year by an independent auditor, who ensures that our fundraising procedures remain the most efï¬cient and cost-effective. We strive to meet the philanthropic goals of our donors.
Q. How do I know that my donation will help those who need it most?
A. Trained, knowledgeable community volunteers carefully invest United Way contributions in local programs. This group of dedicated volunteers ranges from community volunteers to business leaders. They carefully monitor community needs, meet with local health and human service agencies, review each agency’s requests for program funding and invest your contribution in programs that do the most good in helping people in need. Want to learn more about the investment process click here.
Q. Why should I give to United Way instead of directly to an agency?
A. There are several reasons why supporting United Way is the best way to help the most people in our community. These reasons include:
Q. Is my United Way contribution tax deductible?
A. Yes, your contribution is tax deductible.
Q. Does United Way fund Planned Parenthood?
A. The United Way of the Capital Area does not fund, nor has it ever funded Planned Parenthood directly or indirectly, at the local or national level. The United Way of the Capital Area does not fund, nor has it ever funded any other agency or organization that performs abortions or promotes abortion as the primary solution to problem pregnancies.
United Way belongs to all the people of the Capital Area and by its very nature is pluralistic. It is, therefore, not in a position to dictate moral or professional judgment prohibiting participating United Way agencies from enumerating alternatives to problem pregnancies, among which abortion may be listed.
United Way is dedicated to improving the quality of life for all people of the Capital Area, including those yet to be born.
Stuart Kellogg
Chairman
General Manager, WAPT Channel 16
Mark Peach
Chair, Finance Administration Committee
KPMG, LLC
Robert Gibbs
Legal Counsel
Brunini Grantham Grower & Hewes, PLLC
David Barrentine
Chair, Resource Development Committee
CEO, BancorpSouth
Tom Troxler
Rankin First
Donna Simms
BankPlus
Phillip Street
Nissan
Rica Lewis-Payton
Department of Veterans Affairs
John Howie
Trustmark National Bank
Mayo Flynt
AT & T Mississippi
Lester Diamond
Chair Community Impact Committee
St. Dominic Hospital
Dr. William Ferniany
University Medical Center
Michael Rodgers
SAKS, Inc.
John McKie
Chair, Marketing
Lindsay Carter
Chair, Human Resources
Ella Jane Putnam
Senior Vice President, Trustmark National Bank
Rita Wray
Deputy Executive Director, MS Dept. of Finance and Administration
Stuart Kellogg
United Way Board of Directors President, Station Manager, WAPT
Mark Blackwell
Senior Vice President, MS Complex Director, Merrill Lynch
Carol Burger
United Way of the Capital Area President
Barney Daly
2008 Campaign Cabinet Chair, President North Metro, Trustmark National Bank
David Barrentine
CEO, BancorpSouth
Tom Troxler
Director, Rankin First Economic Development Authority
Cecil Harper
Harper Rains Knight & Company, PLLC
Chad Cargile
Executive Vice President, Regions Bank
Dr. Lee Royce
President, Mississippi College
Andy Taggart
Attorney at Law
Brad Maley
Hinds Regional Manager, BancorpSouth
Dr. William Ferniany
Associate Vice President and CEO, University of Mississippi Medical Center
Carol Burger
President and CEO
carol@myunitedway.com
Teresa Walker
COO
Teresa@myunitedway.com
Ira Murray
Vice President, Community Impact
ira@myunitedway.com
Monica Daniels
Vice President, Resource Development
Monica@myunitedway.com
Jenny Penoske
Relationship Manager
jenny@myunitedway.com
Jessie Jones
Relationship Manager
Jessie@myunitedway.com
Katrina Fayne
Relationship Manager
Katrina@myunitedway.com
Mi Isha Lowe
Director of Youth Programs and Volunteer Services
mlowe@myunitedway.com
Shaquella Jones
Community Impact Associate
shaquella@myunitedway.com
Lindi Whatley
Donor Database Director
lindi@myunitedway.com
Carol Price
Finance Director
carolp@myunitedway.com
Lynette Holmes
Gifts in Kind Coordinator
lynette@myunitedway.com
Mandy Scott
Director of Marketing and Community Relations
mandy@myunitedway.com
Account Executives:
Ann Pullum
Mattie Thornton
Sharon Reed
Tanya Poe
James Reed
