<p>GAINESVILLE, Fla. In the past 13 years the faculty and staff at University of Florida have given nearly $10 million to charities through the UF Community Campaign. Sept. 26 marks the launch of the programs 14th year at UF with a goal of $1.2 million. </p>
<p>The campaign encourages faculty and staff members to donate money to one of 79 selected agencies that provide health and human services in Alachua and surrounding counties. Donations may be made through payroll deduction, check, cash or direct bill.</p>
<p>The agencies are selected from hundreds of applications based on what they give to the greater Gainesville community and what each did with UFCC donations the previous year. The selection process begins in December with applications. Preliminary decisions are made in February, followed by appeals in April. The campaign is finalized over the summer. Pledges will be sought from employees between Sept. 26 and Oct. 6. Participants in the campaign choose the amount they are willing to donate and the designated agency.</p>
<p>The campaign began in 1993 after nonprofit agencies challenged that federal and state employees payroll deductions were donated only to the United Way, leaving the employees without an option to donate to other qualified nonprofit organizations. This prompted UF to start its own fundraising program, which would keep the funds within the community.</p>
<p>When the campaign began in 1993, it raised $425,000 for 30 participating organizations. In 2005, the campaign broke $1 million for the first time, raising nearly $1,090,000 for 76 agencies. This year is the biggest yet for the UFCC. Jim Morgan, the executive director of the campaign, is confident that UF faculty and staff will exceed the $1.2 million goal.</p>
<p>It is a very unique campaign. It gives UF a chance to help the community, and in turn many of them help UF through research, jobs and internships, Morgan said.</p>
<p>For more information, visit <a href="http://www.ufcc.ufl.edu/%5B/url%5D">http://www.ufcc.ufl.edu/</a>.</p>