University of North Texas

At the end of its first full week, the 2015 We Care We Count faculty and staff giving campaign is building momentum thanks to two new incentives: weekly prize drawings and a match of every qualifying gift up to $10,000 from the President’s Loyalty Fund, up from a $5,000 maximum match last year.

“We have so many wonderful success stories to share at UNT, but many of those stories happen as the result of gifts,” UNT President Neal Smatresk said. “(We Care We Count) is when all of UNT’s faculty and staff — all 4,000 of us — get to celebrate our achievements, fund the programs we want and commit back to our campus.”

We Care We Count, now in its fifth year, runs from April 1 through May 1. Information packets — including a gift form that may be filled out for gifts made through payroll deduction — are scheduled to hit faculty and staff mailboxes this week. The packets also include match criteria and frequently asked questions.

Gift-matching is available on all commitments from $5 to $10,000 made by full-time, benefits-eligible employees; adjunct/part-time and non-student hourly employees; and retired faculty/staff. Gifts may be designated to any UNT Denton fund; a search of available funds is available at the WCWC giving website.

All faculty and staff members who return a completed gift form — even those who opt not to make a gift and simply give feedback about why they choose not to participate — will be entered into weekly drawings for prizes including restaurant gift certificates, movie tickets and more.

Nicole Sprowl, director of the Annual Fund at UNT, which heads up the campaign, said she is already receiving a number of gifts — and some questions. Some of the most common questions include:

How does a pledge differ from a recurring gift?

A pledge is a commitment to support UNT that may be fulfilled in one installment or in monthly installments for up to 12 months. A recurring gift has no specified end date and is fulfilled by debit/credit card, payroll deduction or automatic bank draft.

Do I need to use the Payroll Deduction Cancellation Form?

This form is for faculty and staff who have existing recurring gifts who would like to continue their giving and have their 2015 gifts qualify for the match from the President’s Loyalty Fund.

Why is it important that I participate?

“The We Care We Count campaign is a powerful way to support and advance our daily work, and we can double our philanthropic impact with the generous match from the President’s Loyalty Fund,” Sprowl said. “Faculty and staff giving plays a role in academic rankings and the university’s reputation, so we truly do make UNT stronger by giving, no matter the amount.”

Smatresk said more than 200 faculty and staff gave during WCWC last year. He challenged more to give this year.

“I give personally, and I hope all of you will take time to give,” he said. “Make a commitment to change lives. Make a commitment to the university. Make a commitment to show how much as a campus community we really and truly care about our students.”

For more information, email wecarewecount@unt.edu, call 369-5448 or visit www.unt.edu/wecarewecount.

-Claudia Taylor, Division of Advancement