University of Alabama at Birmingham employees generously pledged a record $2,006,063 during the 2016 Benevolent Fund campaign, which supports charitable community organizations and UAB employees in times of need.
“This will provide financial assistance to 120 nonprofits in the Birmingham community through employee designations, and additional nonprofits will receive support through the $50,000 Community Impact Grant and local agency grants,” said UAB Benevolent Fund Program Manager Lisa Higginbotham.
Surpassing the campaign goal was possible because many units throughout UAB also surpassed individual goals, including Callahan Eye Hospital, The Honors College, School of Dentistry, UAB Health System, UAB Hospital, Office of the President, Office of the Provost, University Relations, Development and Alumni, Information Technology, Research and Economic Development, and VIVA Health.
The months long campaign included a food truck festival, plant sale and the annual UAB Hospital Chili Cook Off. Campaign coordinators and employees also hosted bake sales, jean days, pizza parties and art auctions, among other events.
Though the campaign is concluded, its impact is just beginning to unfold.
UAB employees and students will begin construction of the third UAB Habitat House beginning Sept. 22, and volunteer time slots will be posted in July.
The campaign also supports the first phase of construction for a Ronald McDonald Charities of Alabama Family Room that is estimated to open in UAB’s Women and Infants Center in early 2018.
To learn more about the Benevolent Fund online, including all of the charities supported, visit www.uab.edu/benfund.