The United Way collects and distributes charitable contributions to 150 different non-profit agencies that help the old, the young, the battered, and the forgotten. Eighty percent of its contributions come from individuals, but those payroll deductions disappear with the jobs. Gary Godsey says United Way lost a million dollars more than expected last year because of the economy and this year may be no different. We upped our uncollectables by an extra percentage point this year anticipating that we might face some continuing issues related to layoffs. But it's high tech firms, such as Navigator Systems, that help United Way make up the losses.
High tech is young, hot, and workaholic.
It's a business culture that often overlooks charity. So United Way started asking and they started giving. A win-win deal, where a lot of other folks come out winners as well.