KICK-OFF ANNOUNCEMENT 1
Dear Colleague,
Please mark October 7, 2015 on your calendar. It is the date when we kick-off Pitt’s annual United
Way Campaign.
The University of Pittsburgh has long supported United Way of Allegheny County’s mission to help
provide health and human services to our friends and neighbors in need. Last year, we raised over
$656,600 and I thank all of you who participated in this successful effort!
One of the many advantages of giving to United Way’s Impact Fund is the assurance that your
contribution is used in the most effective way possible in our community. United Way keeps
administrative costs to a minimum and local volunteers make funding decisions after a thorough
review of each agency's program goals, reach and impact.
United Way has also become a community change agent, working with its partners to provide
important resources to those in need, like PA 2-1-1 Southwest, an easy three-digit number individuals
can dial 24/7 to access health and social service information.
Our United Way is there to address current and emerging community needs–helping where help is
needed most!
Remember that Pitt offers faculty and staff the convenience of giving through payroll deduction, which
makes contributing to United Way a little bit easier for all of us.
When one of our United Way Campaign Managers and Ambassadors approaches you to ask for a
contribution, please be generous. United Way is the best opportunity we have to keep our community
strong and healthy.
Thank you in advance for your consideration, and for helping the University of Pittsburgh community
LIVE UNITED.
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KICK-OFF ANNOUNCEMENT 2
Dear Colleague:
The University of Pittsburgh’s United Way campaign kicks-off on October 7, 2015. It’s a great
opportunity for us to have a little bit of fun as we support United Way’s work in our community.
Last year, we raised over $656,600 for the community. Thank you all for your generosity.
Please join me in supporting United Way in this year’s campaign. I urge you to consider designating
all or a portion of your gift to United Way’s Work in our Community through the Impact Fund &
Community Initiatives. The Impact Fund supports a wide array of services that are helping:
 Students striving to achieve in school and in life
 Frail seniors trying to live safely at home
 Financially struggling families needing help with the basics
 People with disabilities striving for independence
 Women in crisis accessing short-term financial help through United for Women
 People connecting with services by calling PA 2-1-1 Southwest, a vital human services helpline
 People suffering in times of disaster
Your gift helps them and many more.
Pitt is proud to LIVE UNITED by supporting United Way of Allegheny County.
If you have any questions about the campaign, please contact me.
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KICK-OFF, REQUEST FOR IMPACT FUND CONTRIBUTION 1
Dear Colleague:
When you participate in Pitt’s United Way campaign, you have the personal choice to direct your
giving in one or several areas. You can give to an agency whose work and mission you admire
deeply. That is an important way to give back and I applaud you for your generosity.
However, I am asking you to also consider an investment in United Way’s Impact Fund.
WHY GIVE TO UNITED WAY’S IMPACT FUND? THINK H.O.P.E.
You can be a HERO in your community by giving back and making a difference; you can OPTIMIZE
your giving and be part of something far bigger than you could ever be alone; and you can champion
a PROGRESSIVE, innovative and collaborative organization that uses EVALUATION to ensure
measurable outcomes that inspire donor confidence.
Thank you for considering the United Way Impact Fund when you make your contribution.
The University of Pittsburgh is proud to LIVE GENEROUSLY by supporting United Way of Allegheny
County.
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KICK-OFF, REQUEST FOR IMPACT FUND CONTRIBUTION 2
Dear Colleague:
When you participate in Pitt’s United Way campaign, you have the personal choice to direct your
giving in one or several areas. You can give to an agency whose work and mission you admire
deeply. That is an important way to give back and I applaud you for your generosity.
However, I am asking you to also consider an investment in United Way’s Impact Fund.
Why the Impact Fund?
Because the Impact Fund supports programs and initiatives that are having an impact on critical
community needs:
 In its first year of operation, PA 2-1-1 Southwest Resource Navigators fielded 31,694 calls, and
directed callers to places in the community for help with housing, shelter, food pantries, temporary
financial aid, tax preparation and assistance with utilities.

Over $1 million raised for United for Women, a United Way Women’s Leadership Council Initiative
developed in 2012 to help women in crisis and be a bridge to something better.

In its third year, 412 Be a Middle School Mentor volunteers worked with students in middle grades
during 2012, helping them better understand the career and educational opportunities ahead of
them, and build skills to succeed in school and in life.
Thank you for considering the United Way Impact Fund when you make your contribution.
The University of Pittsburgh is proud to LIVE GENEROUSLY by supporting United Way of Allegheny
County.
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KICK-OFF ANNOUNCEMENT, STORY 1
Please mark October 7, 2015 on your calendar. It is the date when we kick-off Pitt’s annual United
Way Campaign.
The University of Pittsburgh supports United Way of Allegheny County because of young
students like Tylicia.
Tylicia is a student at Arsenal Middle School and a participant of the Girl Scout’s Leaders In Training For
Tomorrow (LIFT) program. In December of 2012, the LIFT Facilitator challenged the girls to work on a
project that would help them become a better daughter, sibling, student, and Girl Scout. After some
reflection, and with a look of determined triumph, Tylicia shared, “I’m going to stop being mean to my
little brother. No, change that, I’m going to stop being mean to everybody and I’m going to try and be a
better person”.
Tylicia started the new year making a remarkable change in behavior and inspiring her fellow
classmates to do the same. She became the catalyst for an anti-bullying movement in her school. In one
instance, Tylicia proactively befriended a student who was often bullied and discouraged others from
treating this student poorly. When peers caught wind of Tylicia’s LIFT goal – to be nicer – they joined in
on the challenge!
Now, the school reports that even non-Girl Scout participants are gaining better marks for behavior from
their teachers. Some even stop by the LIFT program to share how good they have been over the last
week! Tylicia is certainly an example of how one girl’s leadership can inspire change in an entire school
community. Tylicia is just one of the 157 girls across Allegheny County that participate in LIFT. Imagine
the impact that 157 Tylicias can have!
Your support of United Way and the Impact Fund helps students like Tylicia gain the skills they need
to help themselves.
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KICK-OFF ANNOUNCEMENT, STORY 2
Please mark October 7, 2015 on your calendar. It is the date when we kick-off Pitt’s annual United
Way Campaign.
The University of Pittsburgh supports United Way of Allegheny County because of veterans
like Joe.
Joe’s life has had its ups and downs, but lately, it had been mostly downs. He was feeling like life
wasn’t worth living anymore when he passed a billboard advertising PA 2-1-1 Southwest and decided
to call for help.
The Resource Navigator listened patiently while he shared his frustration about losing everything in a
house fire. Although he had tried to get assistance from some local agencies, he was unable to provide
the proper forms needed from his military experience (as they were lost in the fire) so they weren’t able
to help him.
Homeless, and with no money for transportation, he had really given up hope. When he shared he
story with PA 2-1-1 Southwest, they suggested he call the Urban League. It was there he met a fellow
veteran who helped him obtain the military forms he needed, and also took him to the Veterans Affairs
Medical Center. He was thrilled when they helped him get bus tickets and gave him a gift card for a
local grocery store. Joe’s outlook these days is much better. Veterans Leadership Program is assisting
him with employment and assigned him a housing case manager to help him find stable, affordable
housing.
Your support of United Way and the Impact Fund helps veterans like Joe get back on their feet.
The University of Pittsburgh is proud to LIVE GENEROUSLY by supporting United Way of Allegheny
County.
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