Rice University’s United Way campaign reaches $250,000 goal

At a Dec. 5 celebration and reception for committee members and top donors to this year’s Rice United Way campaign, the fundraising effort’s staff chair Susann Glenn and faculty chair Doug Natelson declared the annual effort had once again met its ambitious goal of raising $250,000.

“I want to thank all of our colleagues who have worked so hard, given so generously and made this campaign a success,” Natelson said. “It’s been a privilege to be part of something that does so much good for the Houston-area community.”

During the campaign, Rice Board of Trustees Chairman Rob Ladd agreed to match dollar-for-dollar any new pledges or any increase over a donor’s pledge amount last year.

“The Chairman’s Matching Fund is used to encourage new and increased donations by matching those amounts, and this year has brought in nearly $42,000 in additional donations so far,” Glenn said. “Nearly half of our campaign donors increased their contributions this year.”

While the campaign has already met its goal, Rice employees who have yet to pitch in are still encouraged to contribute through Jan. 16, Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

Campaign pledges can be made by automatic payroll deduction through imagineOne, spread across all of an employee’s 2023 paychecks. Those interested in contributing any amount via cash, check, credit card payment or payroll pledge can get started by filling out the pledge form on the Rice United Way Campaign website, unitedway.rice.edu. The website also includes details on how to designate donations to be steered toward specific United Way agencies and initiatives.

Since Rice started its annual campaign more than 30 years ago, the university has contributed close to $3.9 million to the United Way. In his initial message to the university to kick off the 2022 campaign, President Reginald DesRoches explained the impact of those contributions while imploring the Rice community to take part.

“Rice contributes to the United Way in two important ways: First, through research at the Kinder Institute for Urban Research, which seeks, among other things, to address the challenges faced by one-third of our Houston neighbors who are working but still struggling to afford the necessities of life,” DesRoches said. “The donations our colleagues make to Rice’s annual campus United Way campaign also support programs that help our neighbors meet basic needs, escape violence, support children and families, and achieve financial stability.”