The United Way of Buffalo & Erie County expects to continue the momentum of its two most recent fundraising campaigns, announcing Wednesday that it will seek $13.7 million in its 2012 appeal.
The goal is about $130,000 more than the United Way raised in its 2011 campaign, when the agency exceeded its target for the first time in nine years. The 2011 campaign also was the second year in a row that it saw an increase in contributions from one year to the next, after the 2010 campaign ended nearly a decade of declining contributions.
"We are optimistic we'll have another successful campaign," United Way President Michael Weiner said in a meeting with The Buffalo News editorial board.
Dennis Black, vice president for university life and services at the University at Buffalo, is the 2012 campaign chairman.
The organization was mindful not to set the goal too high, given the economic realities in Erie County, said Weiner, noting that area school districts and governments in general were retrenching on jobs. The United Way also is emphasizing its work aside from fundraising.
"That work includes advocacy on health- and human services-related issues when needed, as well as collaborations with other organizations on boosting income levels, improving literacy and making more young children ready to start school.
The United Way also funds 83 programs at 53 nonprofit human services agencies.
The organization will continue a practice started last year ot not charging administrative fees on contributions designated for specific charities through the workplace campaign. The policy change, to be re-evaulated in 2013, cost the agency about $220,000 in lost revenue last year, but United Way officials believe it helped build good will with donors and agencies.

email: jtokasz@buffnews.com