February 7, 2012 — University of Virginia employees donated a record $982,000 through the 2011 Commonwealth of Virginia Campaign, an annual workplace-giving program that allows state employees to support charities in such areas as health and human services, animal welfare and environmental causes.

More than 3,900 donations were received this fall – an increase of more than 17 percent over the 2010 campaign and the largest number of donations ever made through the CVC at U.Va.

U.Va. employees' donations accounted for more than 27 percent of the statewide CVC total of approximately $3.6 million. Since 1999, U.Va. employees have contributed more than $9 million through the campaign, and they have led all state agencies in giving for more than 10 years.

"While the state of our economy remains troubling, U.Va. employees continue their exceptionally strong tradition of giving," said Jim Fitzgerald, associate director in U.Va.'s Community Relations Office and chair of the University's 2011 campaign. "More employees participated than ever before, reflecting a realization that their donations, when tallied with other donations across Grounds, can create positive change in our community and across the commonwealth."

A new component of the 2011 campaign was U.Va. President Teresa A. Sullivan's declaration of "CVC Day" on Dec. 2. Volunteer campaign leaders used the day to host events that encouraged participation in the campaign.

"Employees are aware of the needs in our community," said Kristin Jones in U.Va.'s Office of Risk Management, who, with her colleague Sarah Jordan, hosted several events. "We wanted to show how easy CVC participation is and how their contributions make a difference."

Another new component of the campaign was the launch of the first "paperless" effort in one division, the Office of the Vice President and Chief Student Affairs Officer. Campaign leaders in that division chose not to distribute the traditional red CVC envelopes; instead, they encouraged employees to make pledges online.

"We know how important it is to conserve resources and reduce costs whenever possible," said Student Affairs' volunteer CVC leader, Tim Eckert. "Through a personal and individualized approach, participation in our area rose by more than 20 percent."

As in past years, area food banks and the Charlottesville Free Clinic were the top recipients of campaign donations from U.Va. employees.

The CVC at U.Va. is administered by the University's Community Relations Office. The campaign is one of many ways the University and University employees contribute to the community. Highlights of those contributions in three areas – economic health, outreach and service and arts and entertainment – are noted in a new publication, "The University of Virginia in Our Community."

Information about the CVC and the new publication can be found here.