New Orleans United Way Expects Healthy Fund-Raising Year

Amid fears that a post-hurricane drop in population could affect its fund-raising efforts, the United Way for the Greater New Orleans Area said last week that it expects to meet or exceed its $14-million fund-raising goal, and should know later this month whether its efforts to raise an additional $6-million from across the country are successful, reports The Times-Picayune.

Last year the campaign raised $19.1-million, with local supporters donating $11-million. Most of the additional $8-million came as one-time gifts to United Way’s United Hurricane Recovery Fund from philanthropic groups, national corporations, United Way of America, and other United Ways across the country.

Gary Ostroske, president of the New Orleans United Way, said the organization has raised only $2-million of its $6-million national goal, but he is optimistic that the United Way of America will donate another $2-million, which it has pledged to help child-care centers re-open and help residents rebuild their homes.