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Trend in philanthropy could benefit local United Way

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Submitted photo

Dave and Cindy Mansur will donate $25,000 to the United Way of North Rock County if their house on Scenic Drive in Milton sells close to its $1 million asking price.

JANESVILLE — If the home of Dave and Cindy Mansur sells anywhere near its list price of almost $1 million, they have agreed to donate $25,000 to the United Way of North Rock County.

United Way kicked off its 2009 fundraising campaign in September when it announced its goal to raise $1.35 million.

Traditionally, the United Way raises 70 percent of its dollars through workplace campaigns.

But that changed last year when the last Suburban built at the local General Motors plant was donated for a raffle, which raised $200,000 and pushed United Way’s 2008 campaign past its $1.35 million goal.

This year, the Mansurs are partnering with United Way.

Dave Mansur believes the philosophy of philanthropy is changing.

“Philanthropy is about choices: the choice to give, the choice of how to give and the choice of who to give to. Anyone who wants to give has more choices than ever before,’’ he said.

The Mansurs are confident United Way will use the money from the sale of their house wisely to meet basic needs of those who live in Edgerton, Evansville, Footville, Janesville, Milton and Orfordville.

“Business and relationship—it all moves at the speed of trust. And the more I can trust, the faster we can gain relationship. And if we can trust each other, I think we can get a lot done. I do trust United Way locally to take proceeds and re-allocate those proceeds back into our community. We wanted this to be something that Rock County was going to gain from,’’ he said.

United Way staff and volunteers are excited about Mansur’s philanthropic vision.

“We were thrilled when he brought the idea to us. It a really exciting prospect for us,’’ said Phoebe Tobias, who co-chairs this year’s campaign with John Pearse.

“He’d like to get other realtors on board as another avenue to bring funds into the nonprofit community. It’s a win-win situation,’’ she said.

United Way President Gail Graham agreed: “Donations received outside our workplace campaigns are a new opportunity. Because Dave is community-minded, he came to us with this offer. Our communities need a boost through new dollars such as these.’’

Locally, United Way invests in 80 programs and 37 agencies so those who live in northern Rock County might have good lives. This can be accomplished by focusing on education, income, health and families.