LETTERS: Give to the Penn's Way campaign

To the Editor: The University converted from a United Way-only campaign to Penn's Way in order to add various partners. Each partner is an umbrella charity, either with a "federation" structure (has member groups) or a "fund" structure (makes grants to organizations). They all fund important organizations which provide services in the Delaware Valley and beyond. The partners diversify the campaign and broaden the vision of what philanthropy is. Some of the partners meet individuals' needs for health, housing, food, safety, education and recreation. Other partners address the public policies and structures that create ill health, lack of housing, or inadequate food, safety and recreation. Some partners do both. The Center for Responsible Funding is not one of the partners and, contrary to the DP article does not fund anything. But we do supervise the transfer of gifts to the partners. We are a nonprofit organization which works with other nonprofits on their fundraising needs. We also work with employers on starting and improving their workplace charity drives. At Penn this year, we will be assisting the University in managing Penn's Way. We will be representing the following partners: AIDS Fund, Black United Fund of Pa., Bread and Roses Community Fund, Environmental Fund for Pa. and Womens Way. The AIDS Fund and the Environmental Fund for Pa. are participating in Penn's Way for the first time. Contributions from faculty and staff to these partners will make a difference in the lives of men, women and children in the Philadelphia area and beyond. Please give. Thank you. Nan Steketee Director, Center for Responsible Funding