Pillars Club

Individuals or households who pledge at least $1,000 to the Marion County campaign in a given year qualify as PILLARS CLUB contributors. As the name suggests, our Pillars provide important support to United Wayof Marion County and our agency partners.

Prior to 1993, about a dozen local contributors were pledging $1,000 or more annually to our campaign. Seeking to recognize and retain these leadership givers, as well as to encourage others to participate at that level, United Wayvolunteers established the framework of The Pillars Club in 1993. By running "a campaign within the campaign," targeting a select group of prospects, solicitors signed up 100 charter members. Those donors contributed more than $107,000 -- about 11% of the total pledged for the county-wide campaign that year.

Members now have the option to be designated as "PERPETUAL PILLARS." Perpetual Pillars are those who state their intent to remain in the Club, year after year, for the foreseeable future. Perpetual Pillars may choose to pledge a fixed amount annually or to pledge an initial amount with an annual increase (such as $1,000, plus an increase of $50 per year, or $1,000, plus an increase of 5% per year). Besides the convenience of not having to complete and return a membership card each year, making the commitment to be a Perpetual Pillar frees up additional time for our volunteers to contact prospective Club members, putting more effort into expanding our base of leadership givers.

You – or you and your spouse – can qualify for Pillars membership for as little as $19.24 a week – even less if your employer offers to match your pledge. For Pillars who draw a regular paycheck, payroll deduction is often the most convenient way to give. Or, instead of choosing to have your gift deducted from your pay, you can ask United Way to send pledge reminders to you annually, semi-annually or quarterly. Pledges may be paid by check or with one of the major credit or debit cards accepted by United Way of Marion County . A few Pillars make their gifts by transferring ownership of certain securities to our organization.

If the timing of your gift is important to you for tax purposes -- for example, you wish to be billed for your pledge prior to January 1st of the current year -- please make certain you communicate the details to the United Way staff.

Click on the following link for rosters of Pillars Club members who have pledged at these respective levels. Each of these contributors has earned our respect, as well as our thanks, for his or her exceptional generosity.

2008 United Way of Marion County Pillars Club