In 2008, United Way Windsor-Essex launched its Major Gifts program and established a Major Gifts Cabinet, which is comprised of a group of volunteer community leaders committed to developing relationships with leading area philanthropists.

 

The Chair for the 2009 Major Gifts Cabinet is Patrick Goggins, retired partner from KPMG. Also a member of the United Way Windsor-Essex Board of Directors, Patrick brings a wealth of business experience and leadership to the Cabinet. As a multi-year Major Gift donor, Patrick has set an example for philanthropists in our community.

 

A Major Gift is defined as an annual donation of $5,000 or greater. This initiative builds on United Way's capacity and opportunity to develop relationships with members of the community and personalize giving opportunities to suit donors' individual needs, preferences and circumstances.

Leading philanthropists are acknowledging their capacity and responsibility for establishing, promoting and funding a vision of community and a reality of progressive, accessible social programs. United Way can offer these philanthropists an effective vehicle to transfer and fulfill their goals with respect to major charitable giving.
United Way builds stronger communities by involving major donors in partnerships and collaborations that balance their personal interests with community needs. All partners - major donors, United Ways and the community - benefit from and share this success.

 

A note from Patrick Goggins, Chair of the 2009 Major Gifts Cabinet:

 

"The goal of the Major Gifts Cabinet is to help fill the funding gap being created by this economic crisis by identifying and dialoguing with those individuals in our community who have the capacity to make major gifts. Convincing these individuals to become major donors is the challenge that I, and my fellow Cabinet members have eagerly embraced.

 

I am honoured to have been asked to serve as the Chair of the Major Gifts Program. The annual workplace campaign, which has been the United Way's primary source of fund raising, will continue to be severely impacted by the significant job losses, particularly in the automotive sector, experienced by our local community over the past several years. And given the continuing bleak economic outlook, the demand for services provided by United Way member agencies will never be greater." - Patrick Goggins

 

 

For additional information about the Major Gifts program, please contact Gemma Grey-Hall, Manager, Major Gifts & Planned Giving (ggrey-hall@weareunited.com or (519) 258-0000 ext. 1175.