Earlier this week, the local United Way campaign announced that about 57% of their fundraising goal has been reached – that amounts to $1,124,612.

The campaign goal for this year is $1.99 million.

To ensure a successful last half of the campaign, organizers have announced the Leadership Matching Challenge.

This new initiative will provide matching funds for new or increased leadership gifts of $1,000 or more to United Way’s Community Impact Fund. The 2012 Leadership Matching Challenge gives individuals who are considering a gift to United Way an extra incentive to have their gift matched dollar-for-dollar.

Collectively, MNP, Canadian Tire North and Warren Sinclair LLP have pledged $22,000 for the challenge.

“It is a privilege to announce the Leadership Matching Challenge at (Red Deer College’s) annual Leadership Breakfast as they have a long history of support to United Way through their workplace campaign including strong support of the Leadership program,” said John Knoch, volunteer campaign chair.

“We couldn’t think of a better way of presenting this opportunity to match new gifts than at a workplace event that highlights the importance of giving a Leadership gift,” he said.

The Leadership Matching Challenge will match, dollar-for-dollar, up to a total of $22,000, all new or increased gifts of $1,000 or more to United Way’s Community Impact Fund.

This matching grant is available for the duration of the this year’s campaign and will retroactively include those who have already chosen to give a new or increased leadership gift.

The money raised during this campaign is put directly back into the community and provides consistent funding to more than 30 programs and services across Central Alberta.

One gift of $1,000 provides 1,250 breakfasts to children in a nutritional program.

“Our hope is that this challenge keeps the strong campaign momentum going. Last year, Leadership gifts accounted for 23 per cent of the United Way’s campaign achievement. We’re hoping that this challenge further encourages people to give $1,000 or more to their community,” said Buck Buchanan, campaign co-chair.

For more information, call the United Way’s local office at 403-343-3900 or visit www.caunitedway.ca.

-Weber